[Protest of Air Force Solicitation Requirements]

A firm protested certain solicitation requirements in an invitation for bids issued by the Air Force for the repair or replacement of steam mains at an Air Force facility. The protester contended that the requirements were not in accordance with certain Federal specifications. GAO stated that a contracting agency has broad discretion in determining its needs, and GAO will not object as long as the determination is reasonable. In this case, the fact that the protester disagreed with the agency's determination of its needs does not invalidate that determination. Additionally, GAO found no evidence which suggested that the solicitation was not in accordance with Federal specifications. Accordingly, the protest was denied.