The Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld the Department of Energy’s decision to oust the incumbent security services contractor at the Nevada National Security Site after it was underbid by a competitor.
The GAO handed down the ruling on Sept. 21, but only posted a redacted copy of its decision Thursday.
In May, DOE awarded SOC LLC of Chantilly, Va., a security protective force and system services contract worth about $202.9 million over five years, including options, for the Nevada facility. SOC and incumbent Centerra Group were the only bidders for the work, according to the GAO decision.
Centerra, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., quickly protested the award with GAO, claiming DOE’s assessment was “flawed,” and that the government did not give the company enough credit for the good job it did on the previous security contract.
Congressional auditors shot down that argument, and pointed out that while DOE was not required in this case to pick the cheapest proposal, the agency was well within its rights to do so ― even though Centerra’s more expensive proposal (by roughly $50 million) scored higher marks from the department’s bid evaluator.
“Centerra’s apparent belief that its incumbency status entitles it to higher ratings does not provide a basis for finding the agency’s evaluation unreasonable,” GAO wrote in its decision.
Spokespersons for Centerra and SOC did not reply to requests for comment.
The 1,360-square-mile Nevada National Security Site conducts non-explosive plutonium experiments that help determine and maintain the potency of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The site formerly conducted above-ground and underground weapon tests. SOC’s contract covers security at the Nevada site; the Remote Sensing Laboratory at Nellis Air Force Base; and the North Las Vegas Complex.
Under the contract, SOC’s services include providing special uniformed police officers to patrol the DOE weapons site, and guarding nuclear materials used for stockpile-stewardship experiments there.
SOC’s industry partners on the Nevada National Security Site security contract include: Protection Strategies, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Longenecker and Associates, of Las Vegas; and MCH Corp, of Sweetwater, Tenn.
