Updated April 15, 2025
The decision document detailing this recent protest decision was published.
Digest
- Protest that the agency unreasonably evaluated technical proposals is sustained where the record demonstrates the evaluation was unreasonable and inconsistent with procurement law and regulation.
- Protest that the agency unreasonably concluded that a price realism analysis was unnecessary is denied where the record demonstrates that the agency had a reasonable basis for its decision not to conduct that analysis.
Discussion – Anika asserts myriad errors in USCIS’s evaluation of technical proposals, including that the agency used an unreasonable methodology for assigning confidence ratings. The protester also alleges that the agency unreasonably determined not to conduct a price realism analysis. As discussed below, we deny the allegation that the agency’s methodology for assigning confidence ratings was unreasonable and the allegation that the agency lacked a reasonable basis for its decision not to conduct a price realism analysis. We find meritorious many challenges to the underlying evaluation of technical proposals, however, and we sustain the protest on that basis…
Decision – Anika Systems, Inc., of Leesburg, Virginia, the incumbent contractor, protests the issuance of a task order to Amaze Technologies, LLC, of Herndon, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. 70SBUR24R00000009, issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide support services to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). The protester contends that the agency unreasonably evaluated technical proposals and unreasonably concluded that a price realism analysis was unnecessary. We sustain the protest.
Updated April 8, 2025
The back and forth continues as the challengers fight for this high-profile contract. It is unclear what next steps are at this time, but what is clear is that one or more of the issues raised as part of the protest resonated with GAO. The agency is expected to be asked to take some type of corrective action. More will be shared as it is made available.
Protester: Anika Systems, Inc.
Solicitation Number: 70SBUR24R00000009
Agency: Department of Homeland Security : United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
File No. B-422681.5, B-422681.6
Outcome: Sustained
Decision Date: Apr 8, 2025
Track Related GAO Activity Here.
Details below on the prior award and back and forth protest activity available to OS Sponsors.
Related Data
Updated December 2, 2024
🍊USCIS kills $83M Data Strategy Support Services (DSSS) 3 award, clears path for new decision
In light of some of the recent announcements by the agency, this official action was expected. Details Below. Content for Premium Sponsors - click here for information on Premium Sponsorship.
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It sounds like DHS is taking a second look on this one.