The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained a protest filed by Battelle Memorial Institute. This decision forces the National Science Foundation (NSF) to re-evaluate an $8 billion Antarctic research support contract.
KBR originally won the 20-year award in June. The GAO issued its ruling on September 10 after finding the NSF failed to consider KBR’s plan to spin off its government business into a new entity called Trinzic.
Trinzic was intended to manage the massive project, which includes operating three year-round research stations. The contract also covers the management of two research vessels and additional polar facilities. The NSF must now reassess all proposals for the Antarctic Science and Engineering Support Contract, reopening the bidding process to competitors.