Patriot Contract Services files protest to GAO over LMSR contracts

Patriot Contract Services files protest to GAO over LMSR contracts    Patriot Contract Services has filed a protest to the U.S. Government Accountability Office over the Military Sealift Command’s recent handling of a contract award for the management of nine large cargo ships.
   Patriot Contract Services’ GAO filing effectively stopped the transfer of the nine large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessels (LMSRs) to American Overseas Marine Corp. The contract, valued at $23.5 million, would last for a year, with four one-year options to extend it.
   Patriot Contract Services questioned the Military Sealift Command’s tactics in awarding the LMSR contracts to American Overseas Marine. The GAO will decide on the protest by no later than Dec. 27, 2004.
   The Military Sealift Command has the authority to override the protest in cases of national security, but has so far not exercised this option.
   The Military Sealift Command also planned to award two LMSR management contracts to 3PSC, a small business. Patriot Contract Services contested 3PSC’s small business status with the Small Business Administration.
   The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, one the U.S. maritime unions employed on board the 11 LMRS by Patriot Contract Services, said in its Sept. 24 newsletter that it’s “lending its unequivocal support to all protests” against American Overseas Marine and 3PSC, and urged its members to “maintain their professionalism and remain vigilant in their duties.”