B-110299, JAN 6, 1953
Highlights
PRECIS-UNAVAILABLE THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE: FURTHER REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE MATTER OF A PROTEST BY WIRE-O SALES CO. OPENING AND CLOSING BOOSTER LEVERS WERE NOT OF THE FLAT TYPE AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS. "2. THE OPENING OF THE RINGS FOR INSERTING MATERIAL WAS ONLY 7/16 INCHES INSTEAD OF 13/16 INCHES AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS. "4. THE RING MECHANISM WAS SECURED TO THE BACKBONE WITH ONLY 2 RIVETS WHEREAS PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS CALLED FOR THE MECHANISM TO BE SECURELY RIVETED WITH 4 RIVETS. "5. THE BACKBONE OF THE BINDER WAS 3/8" SHORTER IN WIDTH THAN REQUIRED ON THE DRAWING.". THESE REASONS WERE ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE AS SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR REJECTION OF THE BID AND THE PROTESTING BIDDER WAS SO ADVISED BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 23.
B-110299, JAN 6, 1953
PRECIS-UNAVAILABLE
THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE:
FURTHER REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE MATTER OF A PROTEST BY WIRE-O SALES CO., INC., AGAINST THE FAILURE OF YOUR DEPARTMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO THAT CONCERN FOR FURNISHING BOOKBINDERS. BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 13, 1952, THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, FORWARDED A STATEMENT SETTING OUT THE FOLLOWING REASONS FOR REJECTION OF THE BID OF WIRE-O SALES CO.:
"1. OPENING AND CLOSING BOOSTER LEVERS WERE NOT OF THE FLAT TYPE AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS.
"2. OPENING AND CLOSING BOOSTER LEVERS EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 3/4 INCHES AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS.
"3. THE OPENING OF THE RINGS FOR INSERTING MATERIAL WAS ONLY 7/16 INCHES INSTEAD OF 13/16 INCHES AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS.
"4. THE RING MECHANISM WAS SECURED TO THE BACKBONE WITH ONLY 2 RIVETS WHEREAS PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE SPECIFICATIONS CALLED FOR THE MECHANISM TO BE SECURELY RIVETED WITH 4 RIVETS.
"5. THE BACKBONE OF THE BINDER WAS 3/8" SHORTER IN WIDTH THAN REQUIRED ON THE DRAWING."
THESE REASONS WERE ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE AS SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR REJECTION OF THE BID AND THE PROTESTING BIDDER WAS SO ADVISED BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 23, 1952, A COPY OF WHICH WAS FORWARDED TO YOU. THERE NOW HAS BEEN RECEIVED A FURTHER LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 1952, FROM THE COMPANY, A COPY OF WHICH IS ENCLOSED.
YOU WILL NOTE THAT THE COMPANY TAKES THE POSITION THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE AND CALL FOR A BINDER OF A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TYPE THAN THE AIR FORCE REALLY NEEDS. I AM FORWARDING THIS LETTER FROM THE COMPANY TO YOU WITH THE SUGGESTION THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS BE RE-EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO DETERMINING WHETHER THE CONTENTIONS OF WIRE- O SALES CO. HAVE MERIT. WHILE THIS OFFICE HAS CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO INTERFERE WITH ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATIONS AS TO THE NEED FOR PARTICULAR ARTICLES OR SUPPLIES, I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE THAT EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO KEEP THE COST OF PROCUREMENTS TO A MINIMUM AND THAT THERE IS NO ROOM IN OUR DEFENSE PROGRAM FOR FRILLS OR FANCIES.
YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER WILL BE APPRECIATED.