B-136305, JUN. 11, 1958

B-136305, JUN. 11, 1958

TO MR. JAMES G. ST. LAWRENCE, CONTRACTING OFFICER, U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITAL:

REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF MAY 21, 1958, REQUESTING A DECISION AS TO THE ACTION THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO AN ERROR ALLEGED BY ORKIN EXTERMINATING COMPANY, INC., TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN ITS BID SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO INVITATION FOR BIDS OPENED ON MAY 19, 1958.

THE INVITATION REQUESTED BIDS FOR PEST CONTROL SERVICE AT THE HOSPITAL DURING THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1958, THROUGH JUNE 30, 1959. IN RESPONSE THERETO, ORKIN EXTERMINATING COMPANY, INC., SUBMITTED A BID OFFERING TO PERFORM THE SERVICES FOR $89 PER MONTH, OR $1,068 FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD. OFFERING TO PERFORM THE SERVICES FOR $89 PER MONTH, OR $1,068 FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD.

BY LETTER DATED MAY 19, 1958, THE DAY OF THE OPENING, ORKIN EXTERMINATING COMPANY REQUESTED PERMISSION TO WITHDRAW ITS BID FOR THE REASON THAT THE PRICE QUOTED WAS PREDICATED ON THE SPECIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN INVITATIONS FOR PRIOR YEARS RATHER THAN THE CURRENT SPECIFICATION.

CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF THIS PROCUREMENT, THE PRICE QUOTED BY ORKIN EXTERMINATING COMPANY IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THAT QUOTED BY THE NEXT LOWEST BIDDER WHO HAS THE CONTRACT FOR THE PRESENT YEAR AND WHOSE SERVICES ARE STATED TO HAVE BEEN SATISFACTORY. THE EVIDENCE OF RECORD MAY BE ACCEPTED AS ESTABLISHING THAT THE BIDDER MADE AN ERROR IN ITS BID AS ALLEGED. ACCORDINGLY, THE BID OF ORKIN EXTERMINATING COMPANY, INC., MAY BE DISREGARDED IN MAKING THE AWARD AS RECOMMENDED BY YOU.