DETAILS EMERGE ON CHALLENGE TO DUF6 SUPPORT CONTRACT TO NAVARRO

A challenge to a recent award to Navarro Research and Engineering of a new task order for support services to the Depleted Hexafluoride Conversion Project claims that in recent years reports show Navarro earned above the small business limit in the solicitation.  The size standard for the procurement awarded to Navarro in late March was $14 million, but public reports show higher earnings, according to a March 28 protest letter to the Department of Energy by Strategic Management Solutions, LLC. For example, Hispanic Business Magazine placed 2010 revenue for Navarro at $72.9 million. DOE officials told SMSI that Navarro had self-certified as a small business, according to SMSI letter. “It is clear that Navarro does not qualify as a small business under this solicitation, and any award DOE makes to Navarro under this solicitation is flawed,” the letter states.

SMSI, along with Concord Professional Services, have challenged the size standard, and the Small Business Administration is currently completing a determination. Navarro has denied the allegations that it did not meet the standard. “Navarro is small under its Corporate GSA Consolidated Schedule,” Navarro Vice President for Business Operations Rick Lyon said earlier this month. “Due to the unique properties of the Corporate schedule, Navarro believes that we have properly bid and been awarded this project and we are working with the SBA to respond to the protest.” The new contract has a three-year performance period and two one-year extension options, and is valued at approximately $22 million. While the contract was set to begin April 23, that will be delayed until the SBA completes its determination.