B-242475, Feb 14, 1991, 90-2 CPD 176
Highlights
PROCUREMENT - Bid Protests - Antitrust matters - GAO review DIGEST: The proper forum for consideration of allegations of restraint of trade and possible violations of the antitrust laws is the Department of Justice. MR Resources complains that it was unable to submit a quotation under this RFQ because Bruker has refused to supply it with spare parts which would be necessary to fulfill the terms of a maintenance service agreement. Resources states that Bruker's refusal to supply it with any more spare parts is because MR Resources is "too much competition" for Bruker. This matter essentially concerns a dispute between private parties which we will not adjudicate in the context of a bid protest.
B-242475, Feb 14, 1991, 90-2 CPD 176
PROCUREMENT - Bid Protests - Antitrust matters - GAO review DIGEST: The proper forum for consideration of allegations of restraint of trade and possible violations of the antitrust laws is the Department of Justice, not the General Accounting Office.
Attorneys
MR Resources:
MR Resources protests the issuance of a small purchase order to Bruker Instruments, Inc. under request for quotations (RFQ) No. 101 1270-106- 0003, issued by the Department of Agriculture for instrument maintenance services.
We dismiss the protest.
MR Resources complains that it was unable to submit a quotation under this RFQ because Bruker has refused to supply it with spare parts which would be necessary to fulfill the terms of a maintenance service agreement. Bruker previously supplied spare parts to MR Resources. Resources states that Bruker's refusal to supply it with any more spare parts is because MR Resources is "too much competition" for Bruker.
MR Resources alleges that Bruker unlawfully manipulated the competitive process in violation of the antitrust laws.
This matter essentially concerns a dispute between private parties which we will not adjudicate in the context of a bid protest. Fortune Serv. Co., B-238458, Feb. 15, 1990, 90-1 CPD Para. 281. Allegations of restraint of trade and possible violations of antitrust laws are outside the scope of the bid protest process and should be referred to the Department of Justice, not our forum, since the interpretation and the enforcement of such laws are functions of the Attorney General and the federal courts. See generally Federal Acquisition Regulation Sec. 3.301; Incore, Inc., B-236997, Oct. 13, 1989, 89-2 CPD Para. 354; Society Brand, Inc., et al., 55 Comp.Gen. 475 (1975), 75-2 CPD Para. 327. From the correspondence, it appears that the protester is pursuing this course of action based on advice from the contracting agency.
The protest is dismissed.