Deloitte argues award to Booz Allen was 'unreasonable'

Deloitte Consulting is protesting a contract award that went to Booz Allen Hamilton for program management support and consulting services.

The $5.6 million contract was awarded as a task order under the GSA Professional Services Schedule for the Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity.

The activity supports a variety of other organizations that need supplies, services, research and development support. These include the Army Institute of Surgical Research, the Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center.

Deloitte is arguing that the evaluation was not reasonable. If it had been, they would have been picked over Booz Allen.

In one way, Deloitte is lucky this was competed under the GSA Schedule program. Other task orders under vehicles such as traditional contracts and multiple award contracts have to be at least $10 million. Anything under $10 million can generally not be protested.

But that threshold does not comply as this order was competed under a GSA schedule. If the Army had picked a different vehicle, Deloitte would have no recourse.

The company filed its protest with the Government Accountability Office on May 21. A decision is expected by Aug. 29.