Untimely Protest Questioning Bidder Responsibility

The protester objected to the award of a contract, alleging that the successful offerer was not responsible. The protest was initially filed with the procuring agency and the subsequent protest was filed with GAO more than 10 days after the protester's receipt of notification of the agency's denial of the protest; it was untimely and not for consideration on its merits. Since it involved the agency's affirmative determination of responsibility, the protest would not have been considered in the absence of an allegation of fraud on the part of the contracting officer.