B-186357, MAY 4, 1976

B-186357, MAY 4, 1976

GAO MAY NOT RENDER AUTHORITATIVE DECISION ON PROTEST OF CONCESSION CONTRACT AWARDED ON BEHALF OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITY SINCE BID PROTEST JURISDICTION IS BASED ON ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY.

STANDARD BEAUTY AND BARBER SUPPLY CO., INC.:

THE STANDARD BEAUTY AND BARBER SUPPLY CO., INC., PROTESTS THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO ANOTHER BIDDER UNDER SOLICITATION NO. CPER89-75-52, ISSUED BY THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

THIS CONTRACT CONCERNS THE GRANTING OF A BARBER SHOP CONCESSION ON BEHALF OF THE EXCHANGE, A NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITY, AND DOES NOT INVOLVE EITHER THE EXPENDITURE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS OR THE RECEIPT OF FUNDS ALLOCABLE TO AN ACCOUNT OF THE UNITED STATES. WITH REGARD TO PROCUREMENTS CONDUCTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITIES, THIS OFFICE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RENDER AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS. ACS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., B-183034, APRIL 18, 1975, 75-1 CPD 238. OUR BID PROTEST JURISDICTION IS BASED ON OUR AUTHORITY TO ADJUST AND SETTLE ACCOUNTS AND TO CERTIFY BALANCES IN THE ACCOUNTS OF ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS UNDER 31 U.S.C. 71, 74 (1970). WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE SUCH SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY, WE HAVE DECLINED TO CONSIDER PROTESTS ON THE GROUNDS THAT WE ARE PRECLUDED FROM RENDERING AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS ON THESE MATTERS. EQUITABLE TRUST BANK, B-181469, JULY 9, 1974, 74-2 CPD 14.

ACCORDINGLY, WE CAN TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION AND THE PROTEST IS DISMISSED.