Spectrum’s Attorneys Entitled to Higher Protest Fees Recovery

Attorneys for Spectrum Healthcare Resources Inc. should receive fees that exceed the statutory limit of $150 per hour for their work on a FEMA medical services contract protest, the GAO said in a decision released Wednesday.

Spectrum demonstrated that its attorneys’ fees award should range between $289 and $291 per hour, totaling $29,111, the Government Accountability Office said.

The $150 hourly rate is stipulated by the Competition in Contracting Act, but recovery may be higher if there’s a cost of living increase or a “special factor” such as limited availability of qualified attorneys justifies an increase, the GAO said.

Spectrum’s ...