[Protest Against Contract Award Under Air Force Small Business Set-Aside Solicitation]

A firm protested the Air Force's award of a contract for a security system. The protester contended that the Air Force awarded the contract to a higher-cost offerer whose technical proposal was relatively equal to that of the protester's. Additionally, the firm claimed reimbursement of costs related to the pursuit of its protest. GAO stated that the contracting agency is primarily responsible for determining which technical proposal best meets its needs since it must bear the major burden of any difficulties incurred by reason of a defective evaluation. Therefore, procuring officials enjoy a reasonable range of discretion in determining which proposal is to be accepted for award, and such determinations must not be disturbed unless shown to be unreasonable or in violation of procurement regulations. GAO found no legal basis to object to the Air Force's decision. Accordingly, the protest and claim for costs were denied.