B-138027, DECEMBER 23, 1958, 38 COMP. GEN. 450

BIDS - PUBLIC OPENING - SAMPLES - RESTRICTIVE SPECIFICATIONS SAMPLES SUBMITTED WITH BIDS PURSUANT TO INVITATIONS WHICH MAKE SUCH SAMPLES AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE BID AFFECTING PERFORMANCE UNDER THE RESULTING CONTRACT ARE REQUIRED TO BE MADE PUBLIC AT THE TIME OF BID OPENING. SAMPLES WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR EVALUATION OF THE BIDDER'S ABILITY DO NOT HAVE TO BE MADE PUBLIC. INSOFAR AS PATTERN AND COLOR ARE CONCERNED. THAT IF THE SAMPLES ARE FOUND UNSUITABLE BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THE BIDDER MAY BE REQUIRED TO FURNISH OTHER SAMPLES AFTER BID OPENING. THE SAMPLES WHICH INDICATE THE TYPE OF MATERIAL TO CONFORM TO THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. THE SAMPLES FOR PATTERN AND COLOR PURPOSES ARE NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE BID AND DO NOT HAVE TO BE MADE PUBLIC IN ANY GREATER QUANTITY THAN IS NECESSARY TO INDICATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS.