[Protest of VA Rejection of Bid for Refuse Removal Services]

A firm protested the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) rejection of its bid for refuse removal services, contending that VA improperly rejected its bid as nonresponsive for failure to include separate line item prices as called for under the amended bid schedule. GAO held that VA improperly rejected the protester's bid as nonresponsive, since the protester acknowledged all of the solicitation's amendments and submitted prices based on the amended solicitation schedule. Accordingly, the protest was sustained, and GAO recommended that VA: (1) award contract to another bidder, if otherwise appropriate; and (2) reimburse the protester for its protest costs.