[Protest of HHS Solicitation for Cooling Tower Replacement]

A firm protested a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) solicitation for cooling tower construction, contending that certain specifications unduly restricted competition, since they: (1) were impossible to meet; or (2) overstated CDC needs. GAO held that CDC: (1) properly determined the acceptability of its brand-name specification; (2) determined that at least one offerer could meet the requirements; and (3) did not overstate its minimum needs. Accordingly, the protest was denied in part and dismissed in part.