Protest Against Agency Decision To Resolicit Bids

The protester objected to the agency's decision to resolicit bids, contending that the low bidder was nonresponsive. Since the solicitation required a bid bond in the amount of 20 percent of the "bid," it was not reasonable to interpret the requirement as applicable to the monthly rather than the annual bid total for a 1-year contract even though the bid schedule called for monthly bid prices. Therefore, notwithstanding the low bidder's erroneous interpretation of the bid guarantee provision, the agency's determination to resolicit bids under a corrected specification was not justified, and the low bid was nonresponsive. Award should be made on the basis of the solicitation prior to the cancellation.