Protests Against Rejection of Bid and Cancellation of IFB

A company protested the rejection of its bid as nonresponsive and subsequent cancellation of an invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) for a requirements-type contract to furnish a quantity of rabbits for research purposes. WRAMC claimed that its needs could be met only by procurement of the entire quantity of rabbits from a single closed colony; however, the protester alleged that the IFB only required that each subitem of rabbits be from a single closed colony. While the Army's needs may have been inartfully stated in the IFB, there was no requirement that award be made if it appeared that the contract would not result in fulfillment of those needs. The protest was denied.