GAO Decides Offeror Affiliates Should be Considered in Experience Evaluation

The Government Accountability Office recently considered whether a offeror's affiliate companies should be considered by the government in evaluating the offeror's experience in Iyabak Constr. LLC, GAO, B-409196, 2/6/14, decision released 2/11/14. The solicitation should past performance experience for similar projects within the last five years, but experience examples were limited to projects performed by the firms submitting the offers and the government did not consider Iyabak's affiliates experiences. Iyabak protested and the GAO decided that the restrictions imposed were unnecessary, recommending the government's modification of the RFP to consider the experience and past performance of offerors' affiliates showing a firm commitment to be meaningfully involved in contract performance (but noting it would be improper to consider affiliates that were not going to be meaningfully involved).