[Protest of SBA Proposed Section 8(a) Selection]

A firm protested the Small Business Administration's (SBA) proposed selection of another firm for award of a section 8(a) contract under a Department of Education solicitation. Under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, contracting officers are authorized to let contracts to SBA at their discretion subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon by the procuring agency and SBA. GAO will not question the selection of an 8(a) contractor absent a showing of fraud or bad faith on the part of Government officials or that applicable regulations have not been followed, neither of which was alleged here. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.