[Protest of Specifications in Customs Service Solicitation for Radio Equipment]

A firm protested the specifications in a U.S. Customs Service solicitation for radio equipment, contending that a compatibility requirement was unduly restrictive and resulted in a sole-source procurement. GAO held that: (1) Customs had the discretion to determine its minimum needs and the best method of meeting those needs; (2) the specifications based on a particular product were not improper, since Customs had established that they were necessary to meet its minimum needs; and (3) Customs properly restricted competition to attain compatibility with existing equipment. Accordingly, the protest was denied.