GAO Denies Protest of Contract to Run Hanford Site

(MoneyWatch)  The GAO denied a protest of the contract award to a team led by Lockheed Martin to run the administrative functions of the Department of Energy's Hanford facility. The Tricity Herald reports that the Mission Support Contract protest by CSC and Batelle will not be upheld. Unfortunately for Lockheed Martin the GAO did identify some issues with the contract and the proposals will be reviewed and reconsidered. The contract is worth about $3 billion and will provide administrative support for the site including IT, security and financial management functions. The incumbent who lost the contract Fluor Hanford did not protest, but will now get another chance if they desire to retain it. In a related story the GAO reported that 2008 saw protests at an all time high. The AP says that over 1,600 protests were filed which was an increase of 14% from 2007. As previously discussed the limited number of large contracts has led to protests on many of them as the loser believes there won't be another contract of equivalent value.

Updated 14 Jan to make clear that there will be no new solicitations accepted for this contract.