[Request for Reconsideration of Dismissed Protest of HHS Rejection of Proposal for Medical Services]

A firm requested reconsideration of its dismissed protest against the Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) rejection of its bid for outpatient, emergency room, and ambulance services in certain Indian communities. GAO had held that the protester untimely filed its protest. In its request for reconsideration, the protester contended that its protest warranted consideration under the significant-issue exception to the protest timeliness requirements, since the HHS award of a sole-source contract did not comply with mandates to promote Indian self-determination. GAO held that the protester's allegations regarding HHS evaluation and rejection of its bid and noncompliance with regulations concerning Indian self-determination did not warrant consideration under the significant-issue exception. Accordingly, the dismissal was affirmed.