Nuclear security IT contract faces challenges from disappointed bidders

UPDATE: This article now includes other protesters and details on their challenges to the award.

Deloitte Consulting, Booz Allen Hamilton and Criterion Systems are all pushing back on a $350 million award that went to General Dynamics IT for work at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Part of the Energy Department, NNSA is using the five-year blanket purchase agreement to acquire IT managed services.

Solicitation documents outline how the the BPA will support IT, cybersecurity and mission integration work. There also is a need to upgrade classified and unclassified systems.

NNSA wants the prime contractor to manage the subcontractors. That way, the chief information officer’s staff can focus on outcomes and performance service level agreements.

Some of the areas of responsibility include management support services, technical support service such as a help desk, cybersecurity, and network services.

This BPA consolidates several other contracts that are expiring.

GDIT won the contract in late September. Deloitte, Booz Allen and Criterion filed protests on Monday. The Government Accountability Office expects to make its decision by Jan. 15.

Each protester is challenging the agency’s evaluation of its proposal under various non-price factors including mission suitability, oral presentation and their approaches to the two initial task orders.

They also are taking issue with the agency's best-value tradeoff decision. Criterion is also challenging the agency’s price evaluation.