Agency Could Not Increase Technical Ratings without Documentation

Overview

The Government Accountability Office has ruled that an agency could not increase an offeror's technical evaluation ratings without documenting the basis for the increase.

Background

The Department of State issued a request for proposals to pre-qualified firms for construction of a new embassy in London. The fixed-price contract was to be awarded on the basis of the best value to the government, with management/technical factors more important than price.