[Protest of AID Contract Award for Hospitality Program]

A firm protested an Agency for International Development (AID) contract award, arguing that: (1) the solicitation was worded so that only the incumbent contractor could compete; (2) competition was further restricted because the solicitation improperly required bidders to have facilities operational at the time of award; and (3) AID improperly withheld information from certain bidders until after the bid closing date. GAO held that: (1) certain specifications were so indefinite that the solicitation was inappropriately stated; (2) the time restriction calling for immediate facility operation was so restrictive that it precluded offerers from submitting acceptable bids; and (3) the withholding of information was improper. Accordingly, the protest was sustained. GAO recommended that the current contract be terminated and that the requirements be resolicited to allow for more reasonable competition.