GSA stands by for OASIS protests

The Government Services Administration made 225 awards to 74 vendors in its huge multiple award professional services contracts handed out May 19. Now we wait to see who files a protest.

The service areas covered by the $60 billion One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) contract include management consulting, program management, financial management, engineering, and scientific services.

Anticipating protests, GSA said in its award announcement to vendors that notices to unsuccessful bidders would go out in the next three days.

"If any offeror feels an error has been made in the evaluation of their offer, they are encouraged to contact the contracting officer PRIOR to filing protest," said the notice. "Protests are expensive to both the offeror and the government. Where possible and warranted, the government would like to take measures to ensure all offerors are treated fairly and consistently without the need for protests."

The industry source said that by using written debriefings instead of face-to-face meetings with unsuccessful offerors, GSA was virtually guaranteeing protests that would freeze OASIS's progress until they are resolved.

OASIS had already faced a number of protests before the contracts were awarded, with the Government Accountability Office finally clearing the final one in January.

Clarification: A previous version of this story noted that some high-profile IT vendors were absent from the list of winners. They were absent only from the list of Pool 1 vendors.