The Navy plans to launch an independent review of its Next Generation Jammer-Low Band contract later this month after the Government Accountability Office upheld a protest Northrop Grumman filed against the award to L3 Harris Technologies last month. GAO upheld Northrop's allegation that there was a conflict of interest as a Navy employee who worked on developing the specifications for the solicitation was negotiating for employment with L3Harris at the same time. GAO recommended that the Navy conduct an independent review of the individual's input during the period of conflict to determine if that person's input was consistent with the Navy's actual requirements. The Navy expects the independent review team to begin its work this month, program spokeswoman Guliana Dunn told Inside Defense in a statement Thursday. "The IRT's review will not be limited to any specific amount of time, but rather the IRT will be asked to conduct a comprehensive review pursuant to the GAO's recommendations," Dunn said. L3Harris is challenging GAO's decision in court, filing suit Sept. 7 in the Court of Federal Claims. C4ISRNET first reported L3Harris' suit. The GAO report stated Northrop's $496 million bid received an unacceptable technical rating and unacceptable technical risk rating from the Navy, while L3Harris submitted a $544 million bid that received an outstanding technical rating and moderate technical risk rating.
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