[Protest of Evaluation Differential Clause in USMC Solicitation]

A firm protested a Marine Corps solicitation, contending that an evalulation differential clause imposed an excessive charge on bidders and effectively eliminated competition. GAO noted that the Corps denied the protest because the charge properly reflected the cost of introducing a new model into its supply system. GAO held that the protester untimely protested the alleged solicitation impropriety more than 10 days after it received notice of the Corps' denial of its protest. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.