40 more strengths, please?

Incumbent protestor lost a proposal to a lower bidder, though both had good technical factor ratings. Agency assigned 2 strengths but felt that wasn't enough to overcome the price factor. Protestor claimed that the agency should have given the proposal 40 more strengths. Agency disagreed, GAO said that decision was within agency's discretion. Other protest grounds included Unequal Treatment, Service Contract Act noncompliance, and failure to conduct a responsibility determination. But on each front, GAO said allegations weren't supported and agency's record was sufficient. Protest denied.

GAO: Strategic Resources, Inc., B-423597.2,B-423597.3 (Jan 14, 2026)