spacetoday.net: GAO rejects Blue Origin protest of LC-39A lease process

Posted: Fri, Dec 13, 2013, 7:29 AM ET (1229 GMT)
Launch Complex 39A commercial use illus. (NASA/KSC)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced Thursday that it has rejected a protest filed in September by Blue Origin regarding NASA's process to lease an unused shuttle-era launch pad. Blue Origin, one of two companies to submit proposals to lease the pad, argued that NASA had expressed a preference for multi-user concepts for using the pad, over exclusive use arrangements. Blue Origin had submitted a multi-user proposal while SpaceX, the other bidder, had originally proposed to use the pad exclusively, but later indicated it would be open to accommodating other users. The GAO concluded that neither multi-user or exclusive use of the pad was preferred in its call for proposals, and denied the Blue Origin protest. NASA has yet to make a decision about leasing the pad, which NASA does not need for its own missions after the retirement of the Space Shuttle.