An analysis of the General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals bid protest decisions and the effect of automated data processing equipment/federal information processing resources procurements

Abstract

This thesis studied Automated Data Processing/Federal Information Processing (ADP/FIP) protest issues brought before the General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA) over a two-year period. The ADP/FIP acquisition environment and process is presented. Also, the forums for ADP/FIP protests are explored with an understanding of each forum's decision-making criteria developed. The objective of this study was to identify the issues for protest most often faced by Contracting Officers, as well as the issues that are "favored most" by the GSBCA. A mathematical model for weighting all protest issues versus Board granted protest issues was developed and used for the ranking and analysis process of this study. Case decisions are sighted as examples in support of the quantitative analysis. The thesis concludes that the solicitation and specification process is the source of most sustained protests. Further, the contracting officer's selection and evaluation process is basically sound. Finally, this thesis demonstrates the GSBCA 's adherence and demand for upholding the concept of competition. The Board's penchant for competition is sometimes at the expense of other equally sound concepts such as economy and efficiency.