[Request for Reconsideration of Dismissal of Protest Against Customs Service Rejection of Proposal]

A firm requested reconsideration of the dismissal of its untimely protest against the Customs Service's rejection of its bid under a solicitation for mobile x-ray inspection systems. GAO had held that the protester filed its protest more than 10 days after Customs notified it of the rejection. In its request for reconsideration, the protester contended that: (1) it learned only 2 days before it protested that Customs allowed a competitor an unfair advantage; and (2) GAO should consider its protest, which presented a significant issue because Customs violated a procurement law. GAO held that: (1) if the protester had diligently pursued its protest, it would have discovered its basis for protest sooner; and (2) it had previously considered similar protests and would not consider the instant protest as a significant issue. Accordingly, the dismissal was affirmed.