[Protest of Solicitation Specifications and Cancellation of IFB]

A firm protested the choice of salient characteristics for a small business set-aside, brand name or equal invitation for bids (IFB) and the subsequent cancellation of the IFB by the Air Force. The protester's bid was rejected as nonresponsive, because the protester did not qualify as a small business and its products did not conform to the salient characteristics in the solicitation. The protester contended that the brand name manufacturer was a large business and that the salient characteristic under which it was rejected was unnecessary because it was a proprietary feature of the brand name product. The Air Force rejected all the bids received, including that of the brand name manufacturer, and canceled the solicitation. GAO found that: (1) since no responsive bids were submitted, cancellation of the IFB was proper; and (2) the protest against the salient characteristics was untimely, since it was submitted after bid opening. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.