1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |Following GAO Recommendation Doesn't Insulate Agency's Action After Protest

Following GAO Recommendation Doesn't Insulate Agency's Action After Protest

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 08.18.11

The Federal Circuit in Turner Constr. Co. v. U.S. held that the Army should not have followed the recommendation of a GAO bid protest decision to disqualify an awardee based upon alleged organizational conflicts of interest ("OCIs") because the GAO decision failed to identify "hard facts" supporting the existence of an OCI and, therefore, "lacked a rational basis." Upholding the CFC decision and citing that court's authority to "award any relief that [it] considers proper," the Federal Circuit also let stand an order enjoining reprocurement and reinstating the awardee's contract, which the Army had terminated in response to the GAO decision.

Insights

Client Alert | 2 min read | 12.29.25

FYI – GAO Finds Key Person “Available” Despite Accepting Employment with a Different Company

GAO’s key personnel rule is well-known—and often a source of frustration— amongst government contractors.  Proposed key personnel who become “unavailable” prior to contract award—especially where they have accepted employment with a different company—may doom an offeror’s proposal by rendering it noncompliant with solicitation requirements.  But GAO’s recent decision in FYI – For Your Information, Inc., B-423774, B-423774.2 (Dec. 19, 2025) provides some potential relief from that rule. ...