[Protest of Forest Service Rejection of Bid for Technical Evaluation Services]

A firm protested the Forest Service's rejection of its bid for technical evaluation services, contending that the Forest Service: (1) unreasonably determined that it lacked sufficient experience to perform the required services; and (2) should have held discussions with it, since it was the low bidder. GAO held that the Service reasonably: (1) evaluated the protester's bid in accordance with the solicitation's evaluation criteria; (2) determined that the protester and its personnel lacked the specific technical experience required; and (3) rejected the protester's bid as technically unacceptable and was not required to hold discussions with it. Accordingly, the protest was denied.