The Department of Energy is delaying the start of transition for the recently awarded contract to provide support services for the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Project as a result of challenges filed against Navarro Research and Engineering. Two companies have filed size standard challenges with the Small Business Administration against Navarro—Concord Professional Services and Strategic Management Solutions, LLC. “The 15 business day close out date is 4/19/2013, but the protested concern requested an extension to respond, so we may determine that additional time is needed and could request an extension from the contracting officer,” SBA spokeswoman Tiffani Shea Clements said yesterday. While the new contract was set to begin April 23, that will be delayed until the SBA completes its determination, DOE spokesman Bill Taylor said yesterday.
The new time and materials task order has a three-year performance period and two one-year extension options, and is valued at approximately $22 million. Navarro has denied the allegations that it did not meet the size standard used for the procurement. “Navarro is small under its Corporate GSA Consolidated Schedule,” Navarro Vice President for Business Operations Rick Lyon said earlier this week. “Due to the unique properties of the Corporate schedule, Navarro believes that we have properly bid and been awarded this project and we are working with the SBA to respond to the protest.”