Summary

A union protested the award of a Navy contract for custodial services. The Navy made the decision to contract out for the services under the guidance of Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-76, which reflects the Federal Government's policy to rely on private enterprise for its needs unless the national interest requires otherwise. The union questioned the accuracy of the Navy's cost savings estimates, contending, that in making its determination, the Navy had erroneously used an earlier version of A-76 rather than the version currently in effect. Further, the union argued that it was given insufficient time and information to make a meaningful response to the Navy determination. GAO has consistently declined to consider protests concerning the propriety of an agency's decision to contract out in lieu of performing the work in-house. These actions are matters of executive policy not within the GAO protest decision function. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.