[Protest of Specifications in NOAA RFP]

A firm protested certain specifications in a request for proposals issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service for aerial surveys. The protester alleged that the specifications were written in such a fashion as to exclude the use of any aircraft other than a particular model. GAO held that the protester did not meet the burden of demonstrating that the specifications unduly restricted competition, since the agency established that the specification requirements were necessary to meet its minimum needs. The fact that a particular bidder is unable to compete does not establish that overall competition is unduly restricted. In addition, GAO found that the contract was awarded to a firm proposing the use of a different aircraft. Accordingly, the protest was denied.