CACI Protest Prompts Re-Evaluation of $428 Million DLA Task Order!

The boldest move just happened! In a move that proves just how high the stakes are in federal contracting, CACI International has successfully challenged the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) decision on a massive $428 million task order and the entire competition is now back to square one.

What went down? DLA is running this competition under the JETS 2.0 vehicle which is short for J6 Enterprise Technology Services, launched in the fall and is a key vehicle for tech and enterprise support services. One of the big-ticket items on the table? A task order to support and modernize the Defense Agencies Initiative (DAI),a huge effort to upgrade the Department of Defense’s budgeting, finance, and accounting systems.Now enter CACI, a major player in the federal IT space and a regular on the Top 100 contractors list. When they were knocked out of the competition, they didn’t go quietly. Instead, they filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on May 27, calling out DLA’s evaluation process.And their complaint? That the unnamed awardee didn’t actually show sufficient experience, skills, or operational processes to justify winning the work. In other words, CACI called foul, saying the winner talked a good game but didn’t prove they could actually deliver.

Then fast forward just over a week  on June 5, the GAO dismissed the protest. Not because it lacked merit, but because DLA decided to take corrective action. Means,they’re cancelling the original award and going back to re-evaluate proposals. That’s a pretty significant admission that something in the evaluation process didn’t hold up under scrutiny.

Why is this important? The DAI Application is a cornerstone of the Pentagon’s plan to bring its financial house into order. It supports agencies like:Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA),Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA),Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA),U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM).These agencies use the DAI platform to manage everything from payroll to procurement to budget forecasting. Think of the DoD as a $800 billion enterprise (because, well, it is), this task order is essentially about giving it a modern-day CFO dashboard.

For CACI, getting another shot at this work could be huge,not just financially, but strategically, positioning them at the center of DoD’s digital finance transformation.And for everyone else watching? It’s a reminder that protests aren’t just sore-loser moves,they’re strategic tools. In this case, a well-placed challenge just reset a nearly half-billion-dollar game.

📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES

Understanding procurement rules is critical in U.S. federal contracting. Only an “interested party” with a direct economic stake can file a protest in the procurement process. Meaning you must have submitted a bid to challenge an award.

Protests must be timely, fact-based, and directly tied to your ability to compete, or they risk dismissal. A key concept in procurement is “scope,” which defines the work agreed upon at contract award. If an agency’s action exceeds this scope, it may be protestable, but modifications to contracts are common, so precision matters. To succeed in procurement, verify your eligibility, ensure your facts are accurate, and understand scope’s boundaries. Don’t rely on technicalities to win a procurement protest.

SysCom’s Costly Mistake in Air Force Bid Protest

In a textbook bid protest blunder, SysCom, Inc., based in Colorado Springs, stumbled in its challenge against the Air Force’s rejection of its proposal for support services under RFP No. FA481924R0009. The Air Force rejected SysCom’s staffing plan for its vague approach to managing personnel absences, such as those due to illness or vacation. SysCom’s initial bid protest fell short, and its March 31 attempt to argue the solicitation didn’t require such specifics was deemed untimely a classic case of mishandling bid protest rules. By failing to meet the Air Force’s standards, SysCom lost its shot at the contract, rendering its complaints about mission services, past performance, and pricing moot. This bid protest fiasco highlights the critical need for timely and precise challenges in federal contracting. Key takeaway: in a bid protest, timing and clarity are non-negotiable!

🔓 Situations that Lead to the Failure of a Government Contracting Venture

Government contracting offers big opportunities. It also comes with risks. Many businesses enter the field with high hopes. Some succeed. Others fail. Failure is common in contracting. Knowing why it happens helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Government contracts come with strict rules. Every contract has regulations. Businesses must follow them closely. A report found that 60% of contract failures happen due to non-compliance. Missing paperwork, ignoring quality standards, or failing audits can sink a deal fast. If you do not meet the requirements, the government will end the contract.

Contracts do not pay immediately. Some payments take months. Many small businesses struggle with this delay. A survey showed that nearly 50% of failed contractors had cash flow problems. They could not cover expenses while waiting for payments. Poor budgeting leads to failure.

A simple tip? Have enough funds to sustain your business. Plan ahead for slow payments.

Connections matter. In government contracting, knowing the right people helps. Strong relationships lead to new opportunities. 40% of contractors say networking helped them win contracts. Without industry connections, businesses struggle.

Social media plays a big role. LinkedIn is a major platform for networking. Professionals share contract opportunities, advice, and insights. Groups on Twitter and Facebook help businesses stay informed. Ignoring social media is a mistake.

Want to improve your networking?
• Join LinkedIn groups on government contracting.
• Follow industry leaders on Twitter.
• Attend events and connect with professionals.

The government expects quality work. Late deliveries, mistakes, or poor service lead to termination. Reports show that over 30% of failed contracts result from bad performance. Once a business fails, it is hard to get another contract.

Delivering good work is the best way to stay in the game. Meet deadlines. Follow quality standards. If problems arise, solve them fast.

Bidding too low can hurt your business. Some companies offer cheap bids to win contracts. Later, they struggle to cover costs. They fail to deliver. The government cancels the contract.

On the other hand, pricing too high can make bids uncompetitive. A balance is needed. Research pricing before submitting bids.

Government rules change. New laws affect contracting. Businesses must adapt. Failing to keep up with regulations is a major cause of failure.

Social media helps businesses stay updated. Experts share legal updates. Government agencies post contract guidelines online. Staying informed prevents problems.

Government contracting is a tough field. Failure happens for many reasons. Poor planning, weak networking, bad pricing, or ignoring rules can lead to losses. Learning from mistakes helps businesses succeed.

Stay informed. Build strong connections. Plan finances wisely. Deliver quality work. Avoid these common mistakes, and your venture will have a better chance at success.

💰 Advanced Concepts Enterprises Takes Flight with $96.7M Aircrew Training Win!

Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc. (ACEs) just scored big. We’re talking $96.7 million big. The Fort Walton Beach–based powerhouse is officially on the books to deliver aircrew instruction support services to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and the mission runs through 2030. That’s six years of nonstop elite training across the globe, the Top Gun soundtrack. 

This isn’t an average “sit-in-a-classroom” type of thing. ACEs will be boots-on-the-ground at some of the most strategic U.S. and allied bases around the world: Hurlburt and Duke Fields (FL), Cannon AFB (NM), Harrisburg ANG (PA), RAF Mildenhall (UK), and Yokota & Kadena Air Bases (Japan). From briefing commandos to training the next-gen pilots flying into the unknown, they’ll be where the action starts—and where precision matters most. 🎯

What makes ACEs the perfect pick?Let’s just say they ace it. Founded in 2002 by Air Force veteran Rocky L. Blackwell and now led by Mary W. Blackwell,a USAF vet and powerhouse CEO.ACEs is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Woman-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB/WOSB) that’s anything but small in impact. These folks are experts in military training, C4ISR, logistics, flight ops, and simulator support. Basically, if it involves tactical expertise or classified missions, they’ve probably been there, done that, and wrote the SOP. 

Oh, and did we mention they beat out 259 other companies? Only four proposals made it to the final cut, and ACEs walked away with the contract. That’s not luck,that’s precision, preparation, and serious industry cred.  The task order supports the Defense Department’s most elite aircrew training programs, shaping the operational edge of units that don’t just fly,they lead too. Whether it’s night ops, international missions, or high-risk insertions, ACEs will be behind the scenes, ensuring every crew member is trained, sharp, and ready for anything.$6 million in fiscal 2025 funds have already been obligated to kick things off. The rest will follow as ACEs rolls out its global instructor deployment. Not a bad way to start a six-year mission.

With a leadership team that lives and breathes mission excellence, and a resume stacked with high-impact, high-stakes wins, they’re ready to deliver. This win is a milestone not just for the company, but for the military communities that count on them.

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