Allegations That Bid Was Late and Product Not Acceptable

A company protested award to any other bidder under the second step of a two step procurement, contending that the low bid was late and that proposed equipment was unacceptable. Hand delivery of the bid was not prohibited, and the bid was not late since there was evidence that it was delivered prior to bid opening time according to the clock in the bid opening room. Unacceptability of the low bidder's product was not established, and the record supported the opposite conclusion. The agency's determination that three proposals were available for step two competition was reasonable in spite of different approaches offered. Suspected bid errors may be resolved administratively prior to award.