This is the accessible text file for GAO report number GAO-05-208R entitled 'GAO Bid Protest Annual Report to the Congress for Fiscal Year 2004' which was released on January 24, 2005. This text file was formatted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to be accessible to users with visual impairments, as part of a longer term project to improve GAO products' accessibility. Every attempt has been made to maintain the structural and data integrity of the original printed product. Accessibility features, such as text descriptions of tables, consecutively numbered footnotes placed at the end of the file, and the text of agency comment letters, are provided but may not exactly duplicate the presentation or format of the printed version. The portable document format (PDF) file is an exact electronic replica of the printed version. We welcome your feedback. Please E-mail your comments regarding the contents or accessibility features of this document to webmaster@gao.gov. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. Because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately. United States Government Accountability Office: Washington, DC 20548: GAO-05-208R: B-158766: January 24, 2005: The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert: Speaker of the House of Representatives: Dear Mr. Speaker: This letter responds to the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984, 31 U.S.C. § 3554(e)(2) (2000), that the Comptroller General report to Congress each instance in which a federal agency did not fully implement a recommendation made by our Office in connection with a bid protest decided the prior fiscal year. We are pleased to report that there was no such occurrence during fiscal year 2004. During the fiscal year, we received 1,387 protests (including 58 cost claims) and 98 requests for reconsideration, for a total of 1,485 cases. We closed 1,405 cases: 1,334 protests (including 38 cost claims) and 71 requests for reconsideration. Enclosed for your information is a chart comparing the bid protest activity for fiscal years 2001-2004. A copy of this report, with the enclosure, is being furnished to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Government Reform. A similar report is being furnished to the President of the Senate. Sincerely yours, Signed by: Anthony H. Gamboa: General Counsel: Enclosure: Bid Protest Statistics for Fiscal Years 2001-2004: Cases Filed: FY 2004: 1,485 (up 10%); FY 2003: 1,352 (up 12%); FY 2002: 1,204 (up 5%); FY 2001: 1,146 (down 6%). Cases Closed: FY 2004: 1,405; FY 2003: 1,244; FY 2002: 1,133; FY 2001: 1,098. Merit (Sustain + Deny) Decisions: FY 2004: 365 (issued in average of 80 days); FY 2003: 290 (issued in average of 79 days); FY 2002: 256 (issued in average of 79 days); FY 2001: 311 (issued in average of 79 days). Number of Sustains: FY 2004: 75; FY 2003: 50; FY 2002: 41; FY 2001: 66. Sustain Rate: FY 2004: 21%; FY 2003: 17%; FY 2002: 16%; FY 2001: 21%. Effectiveness Rate (reported)[2]: FY 2004: 34%; FY 2003: 33%; FY 2002: 33%. FY 2001: 33%. ADR[3] (cases used): FY 2004: 123; FY 2003: 120; FY 2002: 145. FY 2001: 150. ADR Success Rate[4]: FY 2004: 91%; FY 2003: 92%; FY 2002: 84%; FY 2001: 84%. Hearings: FY 2004: 9% (56 cases); FY 2003: 13% (74 cases); FY 2002: 5% (23 cases); FY 2001: 12% (63 cases). [1] From the prior fiscal year. [2] Based on a protester's obtaining some form of relief from the agency, as reported to GAO. [3] Alternative Dispute Resolution. [4] Percentage resolved without a formal GAO decision. [End of enclosure] [End of report]