… nearly a billion dollars has been spent by government and industry in pursuit of this GWAC … Four years in, the list of issues is growing, not shrinking…
OrangeSlices has learned that HHS and NITAAC have recently made the case that they need more time … and yet nearly 4 years after the solicitation was released and after it is estimated that nearly a billion dollars has been spent by government and industry in pursuit of this GWAC, the list of issues is only growing, not shrinking.
According to HHS, several NEW matters have complicated the agency’s review on remand. First, a change in Administration and recent Executive Orders issued by President Trump have potentially impacted the agency’s evaluation including Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, Exec. Order No. 14151 and Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, Exec. Order No. 14173.
Specifically, the original source selection cutline determination relied in part upon Executive Orders that were rescinded by President Trump.
The agency has stated that they are in the process of determining what impact, if any, this has on the cutline determination, but believes that they will be required to address this change in policy in a new source selection cutline determination. However, the former source selection authority retired, and agency restructuring mandated as part of the new Administration has delayed the appointment of a new source selection authority. A new determination cannot be made until a new source selection authority is appointed.
In addition, funding has been delayed by the new Administration for the support contract that provides the administration and maintenance of the source selection tool repository, which is critical to the agency’s review on remand.
These changes are in addition to the many ongoing and existing challenges that a slew of protestors have raised and have yet to be addressed.
This does not mention the new executive order that is intended to eliminate waste and save taxpayer dollars by consolidating procurement.
Will the request by NITAAC be granted? There is no word yet, but we will share more as we gain insight.
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