Three vendors lodged protests over one of the General Services Administration’s latest solicitations under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI).

GSA confirmed that United Laboratories and GMS filed a joint protest to the agency over the request for quotes (RFQ) for janitorial and sanitation (JanSan) supplies and equipment. Meanwhile, Staples filed a protest over JanSan with the Government Accountability Office.

Staples argues that GSA’s solicitation was ambiguous, according to GAO.

David Gallacher, an attorney with SheppardMullin in Washington, represents Staples and wouldn’t offer any more details on the protest.

A request to United Laboratories for comment on its protest was not immediately returned.

GSA released the request for quotes for JanSan in October with bids due by Dec. 5.

“GSA is confident that it will successfully move forward with this incredibly important procurement and looks forward to implementing both the JanSan and the Maintenance, Repair, and Operation Supply FSSIs, which will help federal agencies save 10 percent on consumables,” a spokesperson said by email.

GAO has until March 14 to decide on the Staples protest.

Typically, agencies have 35 days from when the protest was filed to make a decision. GSA didn’t say when United Laboratories and GMS filed its protest.

Agencies spend about a billion dollars a year on JanSan services. GSA estimates through the strategic sourcing contracts, agencies could save between 10 percent and 20 percent.

JanSan is one of 10 strategic sourcing efforts planned by GSA before 2015.

GSA recently kicked off the third generation of the office supplies strategic sourcing contract.

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