Protest against Determination That Proposal Was Nonresponsive

The protester alleged that the agency improperly determined its proposal to be nonresponsive and contended that the agency should have conducted discussions with them. The award could not be made to the protester on the basis of the initial proposal since the offer was qualified with regard to reimbursement of travel costs. The agency was not required to conduct discussions with the protester in order to permit them to cure their deviation from the solicitation requirements since the contracting officer reasonably determined that the award to the second low offeror was in the best interest of the Government.