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GAO Sustains and Effectiveness Rate Relatively Stable in 2018

Writer's picture: R.D. Lieberman,ConsultantR.D. Lieberman,Consultant

The Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) released its annual bid protest report to the Congress for fiscal year 2018 on November 27, 2018 (B-158766). The GAO actually received 2,607 protests in fiscal year (“FY”) 2018 but dismissed or immediately denied a substantial number of them, while actually considering and issuing decisions on 622 protests, known as “merit decisions.” This was a small increase compared to FY 2017.


The GAO sustain rate decreased only two percent, from 17 percent in FY 2017 to 15 percent in FY 2018.


The GAO bid protest statistics for fiscal years 2014-2018 were as follows:


GAO Bid Protest Statistics for Fiscal Years 2014-18


FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY 2017 FY 2018


Merit decisions 556 587 616 581 622

Sustained 72 68 139 99 92

Sustain rate 13% 12% 23% 17% 15%

Effectiveness rate 43% 45% 46% 47% 44%

Alt. Dispute Resolution

(ADR) Cases 96 103 69 81 86

ADR success rate 83% 70% 84% 90% 77%

Hearings-% 5% 3% 3% 2% 0.5%

Hearings-(number of cases) 42 31 27 17 5




The “effectiveness rate” remained about the same, 47 percent in 2017 and 44 percent in 2018. These are protests where the protester obtains some form of relief from the agency, either as a result of voluntary agency corrective action or the protest being sustained.

The percentage of cases where the GAO conducted a hearing remained small—only 2 percent in 2017, declining to only 5 cases, or half of one percent in 2018.


GAO also reported that:

· There were no instances in which a federal agency did not fully implement a GAO recommendation; and

· GAO issued its decision on every protest within 100 days, as required by law.


Finally, the GAO reported on the most prevalent reasons for sustaining protests that were actually resolved on the merits in FY 2017. These were:


1. Unreasonable technical evaluation

2. Unreasonable past performance evaluation

3. Flawed selection decision


The GAO also noted that a significant number of protests it received did not reach a decision on the merits because agencies voluntarily took corrective action rather than defend the protest on the merits.


For other helpful suggestions on government contracting, visit:

Richard D. Lieberman’s FAR Consulting at https://www.richarddlieberman.com/, and Mistakes in Government Contracting at https://richarddlieberman.wixsite.com/mistakes

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The website of Richard Donald Lieberman, a government contracts consultant and retired attorney who is the author of both "The 100 Worst Mistakes in Government Contracting" (with Jason Morgan) and "The 100 Worst Government Mistakes in Government Contracting." Richard Lieberman concentrates on Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) consulting and training, including  commercial item contracting (FAR Part 12), compliance with proposal requirements (FAR Part 15 negotiated procurement), sealed bidding (FAR Part 14), compliance with solicitation requirements, contract administration (FAR Part 42), contract modifications and changes (FAR Part 43), subcontracting and flowdown requirements (FAR Part 44), government property (FAR Part 45), quality assurance (FAR Part 46), obtaining invoiced payments owed to contractors,  and other compliance with the FAR. Mr.Lieberman is also involved in numerous community service activities.  See LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-d-lieberman-3a25257a/.This website and blog are for educational and information purposes only.  Nothing posted on this website constitutes legal advice, which can only be obtained from a qualified attorney. Website Owner/Consultant does not engage in the practice of law and will not provide legal advice or legal services based on competence and standing in the law. Legal filings and other aspects of a legal practice must be performed by an appropriate attorney. Using this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Although the author strives to present accurate information, the information provided on this site is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up-to-date.  The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author. FAR Consulting & Training, Bethesda, Maryland, Tel. 202-520-5780, rliebermanconsultant@gmail.com

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