CENTER TWP — Work on the proposed new Department of Veterans Affairs health center is on hold again.

A stop work order has been issued in response to a protest that was filed with the US. Government Accountability Office by an unsuccessful bidder on the project, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly said in a statement Friday.

“Today’s news is consistent with this project’s turbulent record, and I am certainly concerned by this notification,” said Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler.

Cambridge Healthcare Solutions PA, LP received a contract Dec. 31 from the VA to build the 168,000 square-foot center on North Duffy Road.

The center was selected for that site out of four considered locations, including two in Butler Township.

It’s the second time work has been stopped on the proposed project.

The VA canceled its first $75 million lease with Westar Development of Akron, Ohio in August 2013. That developer was to build the center adjacent to the existing VA campus at the Deshon Woods site between New Castle Road and Route 68 in Butler Township.

However, the VA claimed the developer misrepresented itself during the bidding process. An official with the company also was sentenced on federal charges of fraud unrelated to the Butler project.

The Deshon Woods site was again considered by the VA with a different developer.

The Oxford Development Co. told Butler Township Commissioners in September it reached a deal to buy the 15.9-acre property where it wanted to build the new center.

Oxford on Jan. 26 filed a bid protest against the VA, according to the Government Accountability Office dockets. Details of the protest were not available.

A due date for a decision on the case, which is being handled by GOA attorney Eric Ransom, is listed for May 6.

So the project is on hold at least until that date.