[Protest of Navy Contract Award for Mainframe Tape Recorder]

A firm protested a Navy contract award, contending that the awardee submitted its bid after the closing date. GAO noted that the Navy admitted certain procurement improprieties took place, denying the protester a fair opportunity to compete for the contract. GAO determined that the protester was entitled to bid preparation and protest filing costs since it was too late for the Navy to take corrective action. Accordingly, the protest was sustained.