[Protest of Navy Determination That Bid Was Late]

A firm protested the Navy's determination that its bid was late, contending that the address in the solicitation for hand-carried proposals was incomplete and, therefore, the government was responsible for the late delivery of its proposal. GAO found that: (1) the record did not show that the late delivery of the protester's proposal was due to some government impropriety; (2) the delay in delivery was caused by an allegedly incorrect zip code; (3) it was apparent to the commercial carrier that the proposal package was to be delivered in Virginia even though the package listed a Washington, D.C. zip code; (4) there was no impropriety in the addresses provided in the solicitation since the zip code given was correct for mailing purposes; and (5) the Navy properly rejected the protester's proposal as late since the commercial carrier was responsible for the delayed delivery. Accordingly, the protest was denied.