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Protest Sustained Because Agency Unreasonably Evaluated Weaknesses In Protester's Proposal

Client Alert | 1 min read | 09.19.06

In Intercon Assocs., Inc. (Aug. 10, 2006, http://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/298282.pdf), the GAO held that the GSA acted unreasonably and without adequate support in evaluating several weaknesses in the protester's proposal, tainting the agency's source selection decision. The GAO found that five out of the six weaknesses identified by GSA were unreasonable, either because the agency's evaluation was "factually incorrect" (e.g., GSA erroneously identified technical disadvantages in proposed software), "internally contradictory" (e.g., GSA downgraded proposal for certain technical features on which agency also commented favorably), "cryptic" (e.g., GSA criticized a software function for "look[ing] weird"), or otherwise "unreasonable" (e.g., GSA downgraded proposed software for having a limitation that was present in all offerors' products).

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Client Alert | 4 min read | 01.14.26

PFAS Reporting Gets Real in 2026

State regulation of PFAS-containing products will ramp up significantly in 2026. Most notably, companies will have to comply with Minnesota’s sweeping new product-reporting requirements.  As we explain below, Minnesota’s requirements cast a wide net, capturing companies that may not sell products directly into the state. This and other features of the state’s reporting program are likely to present significant compliance challenges for a wide range of businesses....