[Protest of Any Coast Guard Contract Award for a Marine Boat Hoist]

A firm protested a Coast Guard contract award for a marine boat hoist to any bidder other than itself, contending that: (1) the other low bidders were not small businesses for this procurement; (2) the agency used an incorrect standard industrial classification; (3) since the award was to be made in the aggregate, the low bidder was nonresponsive by bidding no charge for two items; and (4) the low bidder created an unfair bidding situation. GAO would not review the portions of the protest regarding size status and industrial classification, since the Small Business Administration had conclusive authority over those matters. GAO also held that the: (1) no-charge bid was responsive; and (2) protester failed to prove its allegation that the low bidder created an unfair bidding situation. Accordingly, the protest was denied.