Protest Alleging Bidder Nonresponsibility and Nonresponsiveness and Solicitation Improprieties

A firm protested the award of a contract, contending that: (1) the low bidders were not financially responsible; (2) the solicitation was restrictive and misleading; (3) the bids were nonresponsive; and (4) the solicitation allowed for a buy-in. GAO does not review determinations of responsibility under circumstances of this case. The protest against improprieties in the solicitation alleged after bid opening was untimely, and there was no showing of circumstances beyond the protester's control to justify waiver of timeliness requirements. A requirement for separate bid prices was properly waived since it was not material to evaluation. An attempted buy-in is not a basis for rejection of a bid.