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How Many Protest Are Listed Below?


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How many protests do you see in the list below?

1. The Boeing Company, B-311344; B-311344.3; B-311344.4; B-311344.6; B-311344.7; B-311344.8; B-311344.10; B-311344.11, June 18, 2008

2. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.; BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions, Inc., B-295401, B-293401.2, B-295401.3, B-295401.4, B-295401.5, B-295401.6, B-295401.7, B-295401.8, February 24, 2005.

Is it: a.) 2, b.) 16, c.) not enough information?

For help see wifcon.com.

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How many protests do you see in the list below?

1. The Boeing Company, B-311344; B-311344.3; B-311344.4; B-311344.6; B-311344.7; B-311344.8; B-311344.10; B-311344.11, June 18, 2008

2. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.; BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions, Inc., B-295401, B-293401.2, B-295401.3, B-295401.4, B-295401.5, B-295401.6, B-295401.7, B-295401.8, February 24, 2005.

Is it: a.) 2, b.) 16, c.) not enough information?

For help see wifcon.com.

I believe the answer is A.) 2, however knowing a little about the two companies, that answer may not be true in the future as continuing protests may beget more protests!

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Guest Vern Edwards

The answer depends on what Bob meant by "protests." I say there were four protests, meaning that four companies filed, one protest from each company, counting each company's supplements as part of its original protest. Each company in the Lockheed decision was represented by its own lawyers, so they apparently did not file jointly. The four filings were consolidated for decisional purposes and there were two protest decisions.

But if by "protests" Bob meant to count supplemental protests as separate protests, as GAO does when it keeps its statistics, then there were 16.

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This reply serves as a test and as an answer to my original question.

Using GAO's count, there were 16 protests. Two procurements and 16 protests. My purpose was to show that the articles that are appearing about more protests than ever is true, if you use GAO's count. However, what is more important--the number of protests or the number of procurements? I think it is the number of procurements. In this case, there were two procurements.

When GAO reports next year, I think they should clear things up. They must report to certain congressional committees so the purpose of their report is for them. However, the following information would be helpful:

  • # of protests by GAO's count

  • # of procurements affected by protests

  • estimated "cost" and/or "price" of affected procurements. Now, we know we are going to get apples, oranges, and cumquats here but it should give us some idea of how large an issue protests are.

That's a start.

About 20 years ago, GAO was asked to do a study of costs paid to settle protests. Congress just knew it was a big issue because people told them so. GAO completed the study and the facts disclosed there was no issue.

Currently, GAO is required to do a study of "frivolous" protests and what to do about them. Personally, I can't wait to see the results of the study. Let's see how GAO handles it.

The more information GAO provides in its annual report, the better. Maybe we will get a better idea of the effect of protests on procurement then.

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