B-134428, JAN. 16, 1958

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: REFERENCE IS MADE TO LETTER DATED DECEMBER 26. WAS A WELL FOUNDED SUSPICION OF ERROR BASED UPON THE WIDE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF THE LOW BID. SUCH INQUIRIES AS WERE MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AGENT WERE SOMEWHAT GENERAL IN CHARACTER AND. WERE IN NO WAY SUGGESTIVE OF THE EXACT REASON THEREFOR. O.I.-1-58 WAS RECEIVED BY THE CONTRACTOR ON SEPTEMBER 27. ON WHICH DATE TELEPHONIC REQUEST WAS MADE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF ITS PROPOSAL BASED UPON ALLEGED MISTAKE. THIS REQUEST WAS REITERATED IN THE CONTRACTOR'S LETTER OF OCTOBER 1. WHEREIN IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE MISTAKE OCCURRED IN COMPUTING THE NUMBER OF SHELF BOXES REQUIRED IN COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION.