[Request for Reconsideration of Dismissal of Bid Rejection Protest Under USDA Solicitation]

A firm requested reconsideration of a GAO dismissal of its protest concerning a Department of Agriculture invitation for bids. GAO had dismissed the protest because the protester's bid was accompanied by a bid bond containing no penal sum and was, therefore, nonresponsive. The protester contended that the bidder was also the surety and, as such, warranted acceptance of its bid. GAO found that this would defeat the purpose of the bond as it could not be enforced if the bidder did not execute the contract. Accordingly, the prior decision was affirmed.