The Supreme Court’s rationale in a recent decision might compel every agency to set aside any Federal Supply Schedule order (or any other order, for that matter) valued between $3,000 and $150,000.
Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Kingdomware Technologies v. United States. As we’ve noted, this case was a monumental win for veteran-owned small businesses — it requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set-aside solicitations for SDVOSBs or VOSBs where two or more such offerors will submit a proposal at a fair and reasonable price, even if that solicitation is issued under the Federal Supply Schedule.
A recent GAO decision suggests, however, that Kingdomware’s impact could be felt beyond the world of VA procurements.
In Aldevra, B-411752.2—Reconsideration (Oct. 5, 2016), the protester relied on Kingdomware to challenge a prior GAO decision that an agency is not required to set-aside an FSS order for small businesses. At issue in the initial protest was an Army National Guard Bureau solicitation under the FSS, seeking an ice machine/water dispenser (valued at $4300). According to Aldevra, the Small Business Act required the solicitation to be set aside for small businesses.
Keep reading this article at: http://smallgovcon.com/gaobidprotests/does-kingdomware-apply-to-non-va-fss-orders/