TITLE: B-298962; B-298962.2, Palmetto GBA, LLC, January 16, 2007
BNUMBER: B-298962; B-298962.2
DATE: January 16, 2007
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B-298962; B-298962.2, Palmetto GBA, LLC, January 16, 2007
DOCUMENT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective
Order. This redacted version has been approved for public release.
Decision
Matter of: Palmetto GBA, LLC
File: B-298962; B-298962.2
Date: January 16, 2007
W. Jay DeVecchio, Esq., Kevin C. Dwyer, Esq., Edward Jackson, Esq., and
Sharmila Sohoni, Esq., Jenner & Block LLP for the protester.
Craig A. Holman, Esq., Kara L. Daniels, Esq., and David J. Craig, Esq.,
Holland & Knight, LLP, for CIGNA Government Services, LLC, an intervenor.
Jeffri Pierre, Esq., and Anthony Marrone, Esq., Department of Health and
Human Services, for the agency.
Jonathan L. Kang, Esq., and Glenn G. Wolcott, Esq., Office of the General
Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision.
DIGEST
1. Protest challenging agency's cost realism and technical evaluations is
denied where the record supports the reasonableness of the agency's
determinations.
2. Protest that agency was required to amend solicitation to include
performance of optional/specialty services is denied where solicitation
did not require offerors to submit proposals for such services and the
agency had not yet determined how the optional/specialty services will be
obtained.
DECISION
Palmetto GBA, LLC protests the award of a contract to CIGNA Government
Services, LLC, by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), under request for proposals (RFP) No.
CMS-2005-0012 to provide Medicare claims processing and services related
to claims for suppliers and beneficiaries of durable medical equipment.
Palmetto challenges the agency's cost realism and technical evaluations,
and further argues that the agency was required to amend the solicitation
to include what Palmetto asserts are changed requirements.
We deny the protest.
BACKGROUND
In December 2003, Congress enacted the Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Among other things, this
legislation requires that CMS use competitive procurement procedures,
pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to replace the
fiscal intermediaries and carriers on whom CMS has historically relied for
claims processing services, and who have been selected under other than
competitive procedures. The replacement contractors under the MMA are
referred to as "Medicare Administrative Contractors" (MACs).[1]
In April 2005, CMS issued RFP No. CMS-2005-0012, seeking proposals, for
each of four geographic jurisdictions, to provide specified health
insurance benefit administration services, including Medicare claims
processing and payment services related to durable medical equipment,
prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DME).[2] RFP sect. B.1. The RFP
anticipated the award of a cost-reimbursement plus award-fee contract,
with a 1-year base performance period and four 1-year option periods.
The procurements for each jurisdiction were conducted as separate
competitions, but offerors were permitted to submit proposals for any or
all of the jurisdictions. The solicitation provided that the source
selection decision for each jurisdiction would be made on the basis of the
proposal offering the best overall value to the government, considering
cost/price and the following non-cost/price factors, listed in descending
order of importance: offeror capability, implementation, quality control
plan, corporate experience, past performance, and small disadvantaged
business utilization plan.[3] RFP sect. M.4. The solicitation provided
that non-cost/price factors, when combined, were significantly more
important than cost/price, and that cost/price would not be point scored
but would be evaluated for cost realism. RFP sections M.2, M.7.
In addition to the claims processing and contractor interface services
described above, referred to in the solicitation as "core" services, the
solicitation also outlined the following four "optional/specialty"
services: data center; medicare electronic data interchange system
(MEDIS); national supplier clearinghouse; and data analysis and coding.
The solicitation provided that offerors for the DME contracts were
required to submit proposals for the data center, and were permitted to
submit proposals for any or none of the other optional/specialty
services.[4] RFP Cover Letter, April 15, 2005. As relevant here, the MEDIS
option addressed the agency's needs for electronic data interchange (EDI)
services, which are integral to the "front end" of the claims submission
process. Second Contracting Officer's Statement para. 1. The agency has
historically obtained EDI services on a "contractor-specific" basis,
meaning that each of the various CMS contractors provided their own EDI
services.[5] Decl. of Medicare Contractor Management Group Director paras.
8-9; Contracting Officer's Second Statement para. 1. In seeking proposals
for the MEDIS option, the agency sought to obtain a single contractor to
provide standardized EDI services for each of the four DME MAC
jurisdictions.[6] The solicitation provided that the evaluation for the
core and optional/specialty services would be separate, referring to them
as "mutually exclusive." RFP sect. M.6.
In June 2005, CIGNA and Palmetto each submitted proposals to perform the
"core" DME requirements in jurisdiction C. In addition, Palmetto submitted
a proposal to perform the non-mandatory optional/specialty services,
including MEDIS, in all four jurisdictions; CIGNA submitted a proposal to
perform the "core" DME requirements in jurisdiction C, but not for the
non-mandatory optional/specialty services.
In January 2006, the agency awarded Palmetto the DME MAC contract for
performance of the "core" services in jurisdiction C; at that time
Palmetto was also awarded the contract to perform the optional/specialty
services in all four jurisdictions. Thereafter, CIGNA filed a protest,
challenging the award of the DME contract to Palmetto for jurisdiction
C.[7] Our Office sustained that protest, concluding that the agency had
conducted improper discussions with Palmetto regarding its price proposal.
See CIGNA Gov't Servs., LLC, B-297915.2, May 4, 2006, 2006 CPD para. 74.
CIGNA's protest of the award to Palmetto resulted in a stay of performance
with regard to Palmetto's jurisdiction C DME contract; because of the
requirement that the contractor for the optional/specialty services be one
of the four DME MACs, performance of Palemtto's contract for the
optional/specialty services was also suspended. As relevant here, the stay
of performance regarding Palmetto's contract to perform optional/specialty
services required the agency to make alternative arrangements to obtain
EDI services in each of the four jurisdictions. Specifically, in
jurisdictions A and B, the DME contracts were amended to require each DME
MAC to provide their own EDI services. For jurisdiction D, CMS entered
into a contract with CIGNA to provide EDI services for Noridian, the DME
MAC in that jurisdiction. For jurisdiction C, the agency modified
Palmetto's incumbent DMERC contract to provide continued claims processing
services, including the necessary EDI services. Agency Report, Nov. 8,
2006, at 22; Contracting Officer's Second Statement para. 12.
Following our decision sustaining CIGNA's protest, the agency implemented
corrective action by reopening discussions with offerors and requesting
the submission of final revised proposals for the "core" DME requirements
in jurisdiction C. In response to a specific request by Palmetto, the
agency advised offerors that it would not seek or accept proposal
revisions regarding the optional/specialty services. AR, Nov. 8, 2006, at
13; AR, Tab 23J, Letter from Contracting Officer to Palmetto, May 11,
2006.
In May 2006, CIGNA and Palmetto each submitted revised cost and technical
proposals. Thereafter, the agency conducted several rounds of discussions
with each offeror. For the recompetition, the agency did not conduct
entirely new proposal evaluations, but rather updated the prior
evaluations to reflect the revised or updated portions of the offerors'
proposals, along with consideration of the offerors' responses to the
agency's various discussion questions.
In its final proposal revision, CIGNA reduced its total proposed
cost/price from $[deleted] to $143,568,466. AR, Tab 25A, Business
Evaluation Panel (BEP) CIGNA Cost Realism Report, Attach. A, 1-4.
Specifically, CIGNA proposed significant reductions to its direct labor
costs and to its proposed general and administrative (G&A) rates. Id.
In evaluating the offerors' cost/price proposals, the agency performed a
cost realism analysis which examined each offeror's proposed costs and
prices with regard to the following categories: labor hours, labor rates,
fringe benefits, indirect rates, other direct costs, travel, subcontract
costs, general and administrative rates, and award fees. AR, Tab 25A, BEP
CIGNA Cost Realism Report, at 1. As discussed in more detail below, the
agency conducted discussions with CIGNA, during which the agency
requested, and CIGNA provided, substantial information regarding the basis
for its proposed cost/price reductions. In general, CIGNA stated that the
reductions in its proposed cost/price reflected specific operational
efficiencies that were incorporated in CIGNA's proposal which would result
in reduction of direct labor through business process improvements and
increased automation.
Based on all of the information CIGNA provided, the agency concluded that
CIGNA had adequately supported most of its proposed cost/price reductions,
including its proposed reductions of direct labor. AR, Tab 25A, BEP CIGNA
Cost Realism Report, at 1-2. With regard to CIGNA's proposed reduction to
its G&A rate, the agency concluded that CIGNA's proposal was too
"aggressive," and upwardly adjusted CIGNA's proposed G&A costs by
approximately $4.1 million, thereby increasing its evaluated cost/price to
$147,691,661. Id. at 15. The agency made no cost realism adjustments to
Palmetto's proposal. See AR, Tab 25B, BEP Palmetto Cost Realism Report.
As a result of the agency's reevaluation, the offerors' final revised
proposals were scored as follows:
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| | Palmetto | CIGNA |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Technical Score | | |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Offeror Capability | 505 | 522 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Implementation | 155 | 146 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Quality Control Plan | 95 | 97 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Corporate Experience | 80 | 76 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Past Performance | 67 | 71 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|SB & SDP Participation Plan | 17 | 19 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Total Technical Score | 919 | 931 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Proposed Cost/Price | $[deleted] | $143,568,466 |
|---------------------------------+------------------+-------------------|
|Evaluated Cost/Price | $[deleted] | $147,691,661 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
AR, Tab 23D, Source Selection Decision (SSD), at 3.
Based on its evaluation summarized above, the agency selected CIGNA for
award of the contract for "core" DME services in jurisdiction C based on
its higher technical rating and lower evaluated cost/price. Id.
Thereafter, the agency terminated Palmetto's contract for the jurisdiction
C DME MAC "core" services, as well as Palmetto's contract for the
optional/specialty services. AR Tab 26A. At the time of award, the agency
had not made a final determination as to how it will obtain the necessary
EDI services for the jurisdiction C DME contract.[8] Id. para. 50. The
agency states that it may elect to modify CIGNA's contract to include EDI
services,[9] but maintains it is "equally possible" it will contract for
those services with a third party --similar to the approach CMS has taken
with regard to EDI services in jurisdiction D. AR, Nov. 8, 2006, at 27-28.
DISCUSSION
Cost Evaluation
Palmetto first protests the agency's cost realism evaluation, arguing that
the agency failed to reasonably consider whether CIGNA adequately
supported its proposed cost/price reductions. In sum, Palmetto maintains
that the agency failed to perform a meaningful analysis of CIGNA's
proposed cost/price. See National City Bank of Indiana, B-287608.3, Aug.
7, 2002, 2002 CPD para. 190.
When an agency evaluates a proposal for the award of a cost-reimbursement
contract, an offeror's proposed estimated costs are not dispositive
because, regardless of the costs proposed, the government is bound to pay
the contractor its actual and allowable costs. FAR sections 15.305(a)(1);
15.404-1(d); Tidewater Constr. Corp., B-278360, Jan. 20, 1998, 98-1 CPD
para. 103. Consequently, the agency must perform a cost realism analysis
to determine the extent to which an offeror's proposed costs are realistic
for the work to be performed. FAR sect. 15.404-1(d)(1). An agency is not
required to conduct an in-depth cost analysis, see FAR sect. 15.404-1(c),
or to verify each and every item in assessing cost realism; rather, the
evaluation requires the exercise of informed judgment by the contracting
agency. Cascade Gen., Inc., B-283872, Jan. 18, 2000, 2000 CPD para. 14 at
8. Further, an agency's cost realism analysis need not achieve scientific
certainty; rather, the methodology employed must be reasonably adequate
and provide some measure of confidence that the rates proposed are
reasonable and realistic in view of other cost information reasonably
available to the agency as of the time of its evaluation. See SGT, Inc.,
B-294722.4, July 28, 2005, 2005 CPD para. 151 at 7; Metro Mach. Corp.,
B-295744; B-295744.2, Apr. 21, 2005, 2005 CPD para. 112 at 10-11. Because
the contracting agency is in the best position to make this determination,
we review an agency's judgment in this area only to see that the agency's
cost realism evaluation was reasonably based and not arbitrary. Hanford
Envtl. Health Found., B-292858.2, B-292858.5, Apr. 7, 2004, 2004 CPD para.
164 at 8-9.
Here, as noted above, the agency conducted several rounds of discussions
with CIGNA, focusing in particular on the proposed operational
efficiencies that CIGNA maintained will lead to lower costs. See, AR,
CIGNA Discussions Responses, June 14, 2006, July 11, 2006, August 4, 2006,
August 9, 2006. At the conclusion of these discussions, the agency's
business evaluation panel (BEP) concluded that CIGNA's "level of effort
hours proposed in its final proposal revision . . . (1) is deemed
realistic for the work to be performed (2) reflects a clear understanding
of the [SOW] requirements and (3) is consistent with the unique methods of
performance described within its technical proposal." AR, Tab 25A, BEP
CIGNA Cost Realism Report, at 2. In this regard, the BEP report references
the research, review and analysis performed, and separately documented, by
the BEP's technical advisor. Id.
In reviewing CIGNA's proposed cost/price reductions, the BEP technical
adviser concluded that there were three primary factors that supported
CIGNA's cost/price reductions: (1) CIGNA's adoption of a business
management process known as [deleted],[10] (2) CIGNA's historical
experience with cost reductions, and (3) the input of agency subject
matter experts (SMEs) who were consulted for their views regarding CIGNA's
proposed operational efficiencies [deleted]. Decl. of BEP Technical
Advisor paras. 8-10. After considering these factors, the BEP technical
advisor concluded that he could not reasonably question CIGNA's
assumptions regarding operational efficiencies. AR, Tab 25C, BEP Technical
Advisor Report for CIGNA, at 11.
With regard to the [deleted] business management process, CIGNA stated
that it had, in 2006, "implemented [deleted] processes such as [deleted]
and [deleted] as tools to solve systematic business problems." AR, Tab 27,
CIGNA Discussion Questions Responses, July 11, 2006, at 52. The BEP
technical advisor stated that his review of this aspect of CIGNA's
proposal included consideration of a treatise--portions of which were
provided for the record by the agency in its report responding to this
protest. See [deleted]. During a telephone hearing conducted by this
Office in connection with this protest,[11] the BEP technical advisor
testified that he reviewed the treatise prior to drafting his final report
on CIGNA's proposed costs. Hearing Transcript (Tr.) at 13:18-14:1. Among
other things, the BEP technical advisor referred to the treatise's
assertion that companies working towards the [deleted] "will experience .
. . a 12 percent reduction in the number of employees."[12] [Deleted],
supra, at 2; Tr. at 14:16-15:14.
Palmetto complains that the treatise referenced by the BEP technical
adviser fails to specify whether the efficiencies contemplated are
reasonably applicable to the particular type of labor at issue here, and
that CIGNA's proposal did not clearly identify the manner in which its
program will be implemented. In this regard, the BEP technical advisor
testified that he understood [deleted] to refer to "general principles,"
which supported CIGNA's proposal in light of CIGNA's proposed approach to
achieving generally-applicable efficiencies for all labor categories.
Tr. at 15:6-14. Although Palmetto expresses disagreement with the agency's
review and analysis regarding the potential for CIGNA to effect the
efficiencies proposed, it has not established that the agency's
consideration of this particular aspect of CIGNA's proposal was
unreasonable.
In addition, the BEP technical adviser considered the historical
efficiencies CIGNA has experienced in connection with its prior
performance of its DMERC contract for jurisdiction D. AR, Tab 25C, BEP
Technical Advisor's Report, at 11. During discussions, in response to the
agency's questions, CIGNA stated that during the period from December 2005
through May 2006, CIGNA has implemented various specified business
methodologies,[13] and successfully achieved reductions in full-time
equivalent employee (FTE) workloads. AR, CIGNA Discussions Responses, Aug.
4, 2006, at 81-83. More specifically, CIGNA provided supporting data
indicating that it had achieved an across-the-board workload reduction of
[deleted] during those 6 months, and stated that, on an annualized basis,
CIGNA's savings would exceed the approximately [deleted] operational
efficiency [deleted] reflected in its cost/price proposal. Id. at 81.
The agency indicates that it understood CIGNA to be correlating the
achievement of prior savings to its ability to achieve savings in the
future, stating:
CIGNA data showed that in the first half of 2006 CIGNA, while
implementing the business improvement models, was attaining reductions
and efficiencies of [deleted]. I feel it was reasonable to assume that,
based on the quality processes CIGNA was implementing, CIGNA could
achieve its goal of [deleted].
Decl. of BEP Technical Advisor para. 8.
In his report, the BEP technical advisor stated that, although CIGNA's
"support for historical efficiency improvements only indicates a recent
(since late 05) focus on improvements," there was "no basis to question
the basic assumption that these efforts will continue." AR, Tab 25C, BEP
Technical Advisor Report for CIGNA, at 11.
In conjunction with his consideration of CIGNA's historical data regarding
cost reductions during performance of its prior DMERC contract, the BEP
technical adviser stated that he reviewed information from the agency's
Contractor Administrative and Financial Management (CAFM) system, which
the agency uses to monitor contractor cost and workload information, and
concluded that the data
supported CIGNA's claims regarding workload reduction. See, e.g., Tr. at
25:18-26:1; 27:14-37:11; see also, AR, Tab 25A, BEP CIGNA Cost Realism
Report, at 2.
Palmetto complains that the historical cost data provided by CIGNA
reflected an insufficiently lengthy period to be meaningful, that the
proposed cost reductions are not tied to specific activities, and that the
reductions identified may have been one-time achievements in efficiency.
Nonetheless, the record shows that the agency consulted data that it
believed were relevant to support CIGNA's contention that it had achieved
cost efficiencies during the first half of 2006, and that those
efficiencies reasonably supported CIGNA's assumptions for future
operational efficiencies.
The FAR specifically provides that an agency's required cost realism
analysis should consider the separate cost elements of an offeror's
proposal, along with the agency's application of judgment, and provides
that an agency may use various techniques and procedures, including
consideration of actual/historical costs that have been incurred by the
offeror or other contractors for the same or similar work. FAR
sect. 15.404; see CIGNA Gov't Servs., Inc., B-297915, May 4, 2006, 2006
CPD para. 73; DATEX, Inc., B-270268.2, Apr. 15, 1996, 96-1 CPD para. 240.
Accordingly, while recognizing that the efficiency information is for a
relatively short period, we have no basis to question the agency's
reliance on CIGNA's historical data in this matter.[14]
Finally, the agency states that it consulted several agency officials that
were subject matter experts (SME) in areas related to performance of the
contract requirements at issue, and who were knowledgeable of CMS
activities. AR, Tab 25C, BEP Technical Advisor Report for CIGNA, at 11.
The agency states that none of the SMEs consulted had any specific
objection to CIGNA's proposed efficiencies.[15] Id.
The agency's contemporaneous record further documents the agency's
assessment of CIGNA's proposal. For example, the notes of a claims
processing SME state that, based on her conversation with the BEP
technical advisor, "I do think that these projections are reasonable." AR,
Tab 26D, Note from Claims Processing SME to BEP technical advisor. The
claims processing SME further indicated that she believed the claims
processing rates discussed in CIGNA's proposal appeared reasonable due, in
part, to automation and electronic claims processing. Id. Similarly, an
email from a contracting operations SME stated that she had reviewed
CIGNA's discussion responses regarding its operational efficiencies
[deleted], and concluded that "it seems reasonable that the operational
efficiencies could be achieved if their [deleted] processes become
`[deleted].'" AR, Tab 26D, Email from Contracting Operations SME to BEP
Technical Advisor, Aug. 16, 2006. Although the protester argues that the
views of the SMEs are conclusory, and do not reflect meaningful analysis,
the record shows that the SMEs considered the relevant portions of CIGNA's
proposal and discussions responses, and provided their views that
specifically addressed issues relevant to the evaluation of the
operational efficiency [deleted].
Overall, the record reasonably supports the agency's position that it
properly considered, and reasonably understood, the basis for CIGNA's
proposed cost/price reductions. See AR, Tab 25A, BEP CIGNA Cost Realism
Report, at 5-7; Tab 25F, BEP Cost/Price Analyst Report for CIGNA, August
22, 2006, at 2-4; Tab 25F, BEP Cost/Price Analyst Report for CIGNA, August
18, 2006, at 1-2. Based on our review of the entire record, we cannot
conclude that the agency's review, consideration, and analysis with regard
to the realism of CIGNA's proposed cost/price was unreasonable. Palmetto's
assertions to the contrary are an insufficient basis to sustain the
protest.
Technical Evaluation
Palmetto next protests that the agency erred in its evaluation of CIGNA's
technical proposal. As discussed above, the agency did not perform a
complete reevaluation of offerors' technical proposals during the
recompetition; rather, the agency evaluated the changes to offerors'
proposals and determined whether any aspects of the previous evaluation
required amendment.
The evaluation of technical proposals is a matter within the agency's
discretion, since the agency is responsible for defining its needs and the
best method for accommodating them. U.S. Textiles, Inc., B-289685.3, Dec.
19, 2002, 2002 CPD para. 218 at 2. In reviewing a protest against an
agency's evaluation of proposals, our Office will not reevaluate proposals
but instead will examine the record to determine whether the agency's
judgment was reasonable and consistent with the stated evaluation criteria
and applicable procurement statutes and regulations. See Shumaker Trucking
& Excavating Contractors, Inc., B-290732, Sept. 25, 2002, 2002 CPD para.
169 at 3. A protester's mere disagreement with the agency's judgment in
its determination of the relative merit of competing proposals does not
establish that the evaluation was unreasonable. C. Lawrence Constr. Co.,
Inc., B-287066, Mar. 30, 2001, 2001 CPD para. 70 at 4.
Here, Palmetto asserts that the agency failed to reasonably consider the
effect of CIGNA's proposed labor reductions in its evaluation of the final
proposal revision. In this regard, Palmetto asserts that the agency's
evaluation was cursory and failed to meaningfully assess whether CIGNA
understood and could perform the solicitation requirements.
Contrary to the protester's assertions, the TEB's evaluation of CIGNA's
final revised proposal specifically addressed CIGNA's ability to meet the
solicitation's stated requirements, concluding that improvements to
CIGNA's business processes allowed CIGNA to reduce the number of labor
hours while still performing the solicitation requirements at the same, or
a higher, level compared with CIGNA's previous proposal, stating:
The TEB also noted improvement in [CIGNA's] combined business standards
and methods from three organizations: the International Standards
Organization (ISO) (http://www.iso.org), [deleted]. Each of these
companies has a specific focus that is briefly described as follows:
o ISO -- Concerned with "quality management" in what an organization
does to fulfill its mission and goals.
o [Deleted] -- Helps businesses to maximize value and minimize
waste.
o [Deleted] -- Provides a methodology and measurement-based strategy
focused on process improvements and [deleted].
AR, Tab 24A, TEB Report at 2.
In documenting its evaluation, the agency cited several areas in which
CIGNA had applied its new business standards and methods, including
[deleted]. Id. at 2-3. With regard to these tools and their
implementation, the TEB stated that it was satisfied that CIGNA could
successfully perform with reduced personnel, stating:
The Panel was familiar with these business tools and strategies as other
Medicare contractors use them, and efficiencies and savings are often
found among these contractors. Furthermore, both the TEP and BEP
consulted, separately, with CMS experts about the soundness of the
[CIGNA] standards and methods, and resultant savings. There was
agreement, among those consulted, and the two Panels on these points.
Id. at 3.
Finally, the agency's review addressed CIGNA's reductions in labor hours,
stating:
The TEB would note that while the above discussion (regarding the
technical approach in the May 15, 2006 proposal submission and
subsequent responses to discussion questions) focuses on new
efficiencies presented by [CIGNA], the technical approach itself is the
same as considered in December 2005. That is under the Corrective
Action, [CIGNA] shows how it has improved the ways in which it will do
the work required by the RFP. As noted above, both the TEB and BEP,
along with other CMS experts, find that [CIGNA] continues to be
responsive while becoming more efficient in its proposed work.
AR, Tab 24A, Technical Evaluation, at 4.
In sum, the agency's contemporaneous evaluation record demonstrates that
the agency specifically considered the changes to CIGNA's technical
proposal during the corrective action recompetition, and specifically
concluded that CIGNA could perform the work notwithstanding the reduced
level of personnel reflected in its cost/price proposal. Although Palmetto
asserts that the level of detail in the TEB report is insufficient to
support the agency's conclusions, the protester's disagreement with the
agency's documented assessments in this regard does not provide an
adequate basis to sustain the protest.
Palmetto next argues that the agency improperly credited CIGNA for cost
savings under the technical evaluation. The protester argues that the
RFP's instructions to offerors that "[t]he written Technical Proposal must
NOT contain reference to price/cost," RFP sect. L.12.a, prohibited the
agency from giving offerors credit regarding cost or price in the
technical evaluation. As the protester notes, the TEB report contains
numerous references to "efficiencies" and "savings" that the TEB indicated
would result from CIGNA's business process techniques. Thus, Palmetto
argues, the agency inappropriately "double counted" cost savings under the
technical evaluation.
The agency's discussion of savings and efficiencies, however, addressed
CIGNA's proposal in the context of its ability to perform the solicitation
requirements: "The TEB also noted improvement in [CIGNA's] ability to
execute CMS contract requirements. This is particularly true with regard
to changes in business methods and standards intended for greater
efficiencies and savings." AR, Tab 24A, TEB Report, at 2. The record shows
that the agency considered the business management techniques as
enhancements to CIGNA's ability to perform the work within the context of
the offeror capability technical evaluation factor, citing the benefits of
CIGNA's implementation of various business process improvement models. AR,
Tab 24, TEB Report at 2-3. In this regard, an agency is not precluded from
considering a proposal element, such as operational efficiencies, under
more than one evaluation criterion when the element is, as here, relevant
and reasonably related to each criterion under which it is considered.
RAMCOR Servs. Group, Inc., B- 276633, et al., Mar. 23, 1998, 98-1 CPD
para. 121 at 9.
Finally, the protester argues that the agency treated CIGNA and Palmetto
unequally in the evaluation of the offerors' technical proposals.
Specifically, the protester argues that the agency gave CIGNA credit for
being certified as ISO 9001:2000 compliant, but did not give Palmetto
similar credit. [16]
CIGNA stated in its proposal that it had implemented the ISO 9001:2000
standard, and expected certification in 2006. The TEB report discussed
CIGNA's implementation of the ISO business process in the context of
CIGNA's operational efficiencies, and ability to perform the solicitation
requirements. AR, Tab 24A, TEP Report, at 2. We believe that it was
reasonable for the agency to do so because, as discussed above, this
evaluation was within the scope of the offeror capability evaluation
factor.
Contrary to Palmetto's assertion regarding allegedly unequal treatment,
the agency's initial evaluation of Palmetto's proposal discussed
Palmetto's ISO 9001:2000 certification, identifying it as a strength in
the initial TEP report; because the TEB report for the recompetition only
discussed changes to the score, there was no reason to readdress this
issue in the new evaluation report. AR, Tab 5, TEB Report at 6 (Aug. 17,
2005); see decl. of TEB Chair, para. 13. In contrast, the agency noted
that CIGNA had stated in its 2005 proposal that it would be certified for
ISO 9001:2000 in 2006; thus, for the recompetition, the agency noted
CIGNA's ISO status for the first time. AR, Tab 24A, TEP Report, at 2. On
this record, there is no merit to Palmetto's assertion of unequal
treatment.[17]
MEDIS Option
Palmetto argues that the agency was required to amend the solicitation to
reflect what Palmetto asserts were changed requirements with regard to
performance of EDI requirements for jurisdiction C. Specifically, Palmetto
asserts that the agency had determined, prior to award, that it will amend
the jurisdiction C contract for "core" services to include the EDI
services that would otherwise have been provided by the MEDIS option. The
record is to the contrary.
As discussed above, the agency has taken differing approaches to providing
the necessary EDI services for the DME contracts in the other three
jurisdictions--modifying the DME contract to include those requirements in
two of the jurisdictions, and contracting with a third party to provide
the services in the third jurisdiction. As also noted above, the agency
has expressly stated that it has not yet determined what approach it will
take with regard to the EDI requirements in the jurisdiction C. That is,
the agency states that it may, in fact, modify CIGNA's DME contract, but
that it is "equally possible" it will contract for those services with a
third party. See Decl. of Medicare Contractor Management Group Director
para. 12; AR, Nov. 8, 2006, at 27. Palmetto's protest does not establish
that the agency's representations in this regard are inaccurate.
Accordingly, we cannot sustain the protest on the basis of allegedly
changed requirements.[18]
The protest is denied.
Gary L. Kepplinger
General Counsel
------------------------
[1] In general, fiscal intermediaries have been responsible for processing
Medicare payments for institutional providers, e.g., hospitals and skilled
nursing facilities, under Part A of the Medicare program; carriers have
been responsible for processing payments for professional providers (for
example, physicians and diagnostic laboratories) under Part B of the
Medicare program. More specifically, contractors known as "Durable Medical
Equipment Regional Carriers" (DMERCs) have been responsible for processing
Medicare claims for DME under Part B of the Medicare program. RFP,
Statement of Work (SOW), at 11-12.
[2] The solicitation's statement of work provided an overview of the
required tasks, stating as follows:
The Contractor shall receive and control Medicare claims from [DME]
suppliers and beneficiaries within its jurisdiction, as well as perform
edits on these claims to determine whether the claims are complete and
should be paid. . . . In addition, the Contractor calculates Medicare
payment amounts and remits those payments to the appropriate party. . .
. The Contractor also conducts a variety of different suppliers
services, such as answering written inquiries, and educating them on
Medicare's rules and regulations and billing procedures.
RFP, SOW, at 14.
[3] For the technical evaluation, offerors' proposals were evaluated on
the basis of the six factors, for a total of 1000 points. The offeror
capability factor was worth 545 points, and had subfactors for
understanding the requirement (300 points), project management (75
points), key personnel (75 points), information security (50 points), and
compliance plan (45 points). The implementation factor was worth 170
points, and had subfactors for implementation plan (70 points), key
personnel (60 points), and implementation risk (40 points). The quality
control plan factor was worth 100 points, the corporate experience factor
was worth 80 points, the past performance factor was worth 80 points, and
the small disadvantaged business utilization/ participation plan factor
was worth 25 points. RFP sect. M.4.
[4] The solicitation also provided that only a DME contractor in one of
the four jurisdictions would be eligible for award of the contract to
provide the optional/specialty services.
[5] An early version of the RFP for the DME MACs required offerors to
propose front-end EDI processing as part of the core services.
[6] CMS states that it has a long-term goal of having one contractor to
perform "front-end" EDI services for all Medicare contractors. Agency
Report, Nov. 8, 2006, at 5.
[7] At that time, CIGNA also protested the award of the DME contract in
jurisdiction D to Noridian Administrative Services, LLC; our Office denied
that protest. See CIGNA Gov't Servs., LLC, B-297915, May 4, 2006, 2006 CPD
para. 73.
[8] As noted above, the agency has made various, differing arrangements to
obtain the necessary front-end services in each of the four jurisdictions.
[9] Among other things, the RFP stated: "CMS reserves the right to
exercise [the MEDIS option] at the time of contract award or at any time
during the period of performance of the resultant contract." RFP at 143.
[10] [Deleted]. Id.
[11] In resolving this protest, our Office conducted a telephone hearing,
on the record, during which the BEP technical advisor provided testimony
regarding the protest issues.
[12] CIGNA's final revised proposal was based on the premise that it could
reduce labor costs by approximately [deleted] per year over the course of
the contract. More specifically, CIGNA's proposal reflected a [deleted]
increased efficiency during the base contract year and first, third and
fourth option years, and a [deleted] increased efficiency during the
second option year. AR, CIGNA Final Proposal Revision, Vol. II, Tab D,
Cost Realism Narrative, at 8-9.
[13] In addition to [deleted], CIGNA referenced ISO 9000:2001, the
[deleted] and [deleted] as other examples of business process
improvements, and provided specific examples regarding its experience in
applying these programs.
AR, CIGNA Discussion Response, June 14, 2006.
[14] Palmetto argues that certain of the data analyses are flawed. For
example, the protester argues that certain of the cost categories reviewed
by the BEP technical advisor to analyze CIGNA's cost history relate to
work that will no longer be provided by the DME MAC contractor. However,
the BEP technical advisor did not suggest that his analysis was intended
to mathematically prove that the cost efficiencies would equal [deleted],
nor that CIGNA had historically achieved a particular level of efficiency.
Rather, the agency states that the analysis provided general support for
the efficiencies proposed. See Tr. at 37:5-22. In this context, the
agency's review was reasonable and supportive of the cost realism
analysis.
[15] Specifically, the BEP technical advisor stated: "I also discussed
CIGNA's responses to discussion questions regarding [deleted] and the
[deleted] efficiency [deleted] both orally and in writing with several CMS
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) . . . [in the areas of] Contracting
Operations . . . Claims Processing . . . MSP . . . Beneficiary Inquiries
and . . . Provider Communications. None voiced any objections to the
reasonableness of CIGNA's assumptions." Decl. of BEP Technical Advisor
para. 10.
[16] ISO standards, such as 9001:2000, are issued by the International
Organization for Standardization. The 9000 series of standards relates to
quality control.
[17] The protester also argues that a comment by one of the technical
evaluators in the context of the ISO certification indicated potential
bias or undue pressure to increase CIGNA's rating. The evaluator
referenced the fact that she had not previously credited CIGNA with ISO
certification, and that as part of the recompetition evaluation, she was
raising her score, stating: "At this time I could raise my score to 47 in
each category giving a total of 94 due to having [deleted] and now that we
are in 2006 Cigna should also be ISO 9001-2000 compliant. Not that I feel
any pressure here to change my original score!" AR, Tab 26E, Email from
TEB Evaluator to TEB Chair, June 28, 2006. The evaluator states in a
declaration that the comment regarding pressure was a "joke," and that
"[a]t no time during my service as a TEB member did I feel any pressure
from anyone to increase my original score or otherwise change CIGNA's
score." Decl. of TEB Evaluator paras. 6-7. The record here does not
provide sufficient support for Palmetto's allegation of bias to warrant
sustaining the protest. In any event, as discussed above, the improvement
in CIGNA's rating was supported by the evaluation record.
[18] Palmetto separately complains that the agency stated, at various
points during the competition, that it intended to award the MEDIS option
at the time of the jurisdiction C contract award, but has not done so. It
does not appear that Palmetto's complaint regarding the decision not to
award the MEDIS option constitutes a basis for protest or that the
decision prejudices Palmetto. The RFP specifically stated that the
proposal for the optional/specialty services would be evaluated separately
from the proposals for DME "core" services. RFP sect. M.6. Accordingly,
consistent with the express provisions of the solicitation, any agency
evaluation of the MEDIS option would not properly affect the relative
standings of Palmetto or CIGNA with regard to the jurisdiction C DME
contract. Our Office will not sustain a protest absent a showing of
competitive prejudice, that is, unless the protester demonstrates that,
but for the agency's actions, it would have a substantial chance of
receiving award. McDonald-Bradley, B-270126, Feb. 8, 1996, 96-1 CPD para.
54 at 3; see Statistica, Inc. v. Christopher, 102 F.3d 1577, 1681 (Fed.
Cir. 1996).