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New Regional Contracts to Administer the TRICARE Benefit
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) notified the Defense Health Agency (DHA) that multiple vendors have filed formal protests against the TRICARE 2017 East Region Contract and TRICARE 2017 West Region Contract award announcements made July 22, 2016.
- The protests don't impact the delivery of health care for any TRICARE beneficiary.
- The current TRICARE contracts will remain in place until the protests are resolved.
- The DHA's top priority during this protest period is to maintain quality and continuity of care for its TRICARE beneficiaries in all regions.
As required by law, once notified by GAO that a formal protest had been filed:
- DHA's contracting office will issue a Stop Work Order on the new contract.
- The Stop Work Order will remain in place until a GAO decision on the protests are made.
- GAO protests are normally adjudicated within 100 days.
The DHA followed the source selection and contract award processes described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation for competitive acquisitions. Bid protests are not unusual in this competitive environment.