Monday, the Government Accountability Office announced it would be upholding BAE System’s protest on the FMTV re-buy contract. The $2.6 billion contract was originally awarded to Oshkosh Corp.
BAE Systems appealed the contract earlier in 2009 stating their main reason as a flawed procurement process.
“It was absolutely a sigh of relief, but again, holding our breath until we know what the next steps are in this process and how it affects our businesses, ” said John Machisak, director of operations at the Sealy BAE Systems plant. “(The workers) were very encouraged that after 90 days, or 100 days, we’re finally getting some feedback from the protest.”
The Army has 60 days to announce its decision.
“We wanted to get the word out that (the contract) was graded wrong and that we felt it was graded wrong. We want (the Army) to re-bid the contract. That’s all we ask. Make it fair, “ said Sealy Mayor Nick Tirey.
In addition to the protest by BAE Systems, Navistar also protested this contract. The GAO upheld the protests stating “he Army’s evaluation was flawed with regard to the evaluation of Oshkosh’s proposal under the capability, evaluation factor, and evaluation.”
GAO recommendations include a re-evaluation by the army to include the three rival bidders for the FMTV contract and a re-imbursement to BAE systems for filing costs and contesting costs.
