Protest Involving Bidder's Responsibility Not Considered

A protester to a contract award contended that the low bidder did not take prevailing wage rates in account, its bid constituted "buying in," and it was not responsible. It also alleged that the contracting officer failed to make a preaward survey of the low bidder or to make an affirmative determination of responsibility. The bidder's possible loss due to payment of prevailing wage rates and the alleged "buy-in" were not basis for challenging the award. The preaward survey is not a required method of determining responsibility, and signing of the contract was considered an affirmative determination of responsibility by the contracting officer. Since the protest concerned questions of prospective contractor responsibility that cannot be considered on the merits, the request for a hearing or conference was denied.