Allegation That Other Bidders Did Not Meet Solicitation Specifications

A company protested award of a contract issued by the Veterans Administration (VA) for installation of nurse call and radio entertainment systems at a VA hospital. Protester contended that, as it was the only bidder to submit the required Underwriter Laboratories (UL) listing cards with its bid, all other bids were nonresponsive. Additionally the protester claimed reimbursement of bid preparation costs. Where bidders offered equipment that met UL card requirements, failure to submit the cards with the bid as proof of compliance was a minor informality involving responsiveness rather than responsibility, and curable after bid opening. As the Government did not act arbitrarily or capriciously with respect to the claimant's bid or proposal, there was no basis for allowing recovery of bid preparation costs. The protest and claim were denied.