Abacus cries foul at DHS switcheroo

Abacus Technology won a DHS contract only to see the award go to its competitor after the company filed a bid protest.

This is not unheard of but still relatively rare from my observations.

But the Homeland Security Department has switched primes on an IT support contract that is in the midst of a protest battle.

Earlier this year, Salient CRGT lost an incumbent contract to Abacus Technology worth about $90 million to support DHS’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency through the NATIONS II contract.

And of course, Salient CRGT protested. The problems they alleged apparently struck a nerve with DHS.

DHS took a corrective action to look at the award and address Salient CRGT’s concerns. With the second look, DHS picked Salient CRGT as the winner.

Now it is Abacus’ turn to protest. They filed Dec. 4 and a decision is due March 14.

Meanwhile, Salient CRGT continues to support DHS through the current contract.

NATIONS is an acronym for National Area and Transnational IT Operations and Next Generation Support.

Salient CRGT provides IT support to end-users at more than 228 U.S. and 30 overseas sites. Services include help desk, desk-side support, service center services, account management and hardware support

Salient CRGT inherited the contract when it acquired Information Innovators Inc. in early 2017.