GSA reopens E-Travel procurement

The General Services Administration earlier this week decided to reopen the solicitation for its E-Travel initiative rather than defend its actions to the General Accounting Office.

EDS Corp. had in August protested the award of a 10-year, $450 million contract to Carlson Wagonlit Government Travel Inc. of San Antonio and the Mission Systems unit of Northrop Grumman Corp. EDS contended GSA did not properly evaluate all offers.

In a letter to EDS and GAO, GSA said it would take corrective action by letting the qualified bidders redemonstrate their proposed services, conduct further discussions with the bidders and permit proposal revisions as necessary, said Mike Golden, GAO associate general counsel.

Golden said reopening the selection process renders the protest moot, so GAO dismissed it. He added that it's not unusual to take corrective action rather than defend an award.

GSA and EDS officials could not be reached for comment.