Allegation That Specifications in RFP Were Unduly Restrictive

A firm protested a solicitation for a language laboratory system for the United States Military Academy because the specifications for tape decks were obsolete and were unduly restrictive of competition. Specifications for the language laboratory tape deck required three motor solenoid operated reel-to-reel tape transport, independent power supplies in each deck, recording level controls, and tape threading outline. The protest was denied because the United States Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command had provided its justifications for the protested specifications and there was a reasonable basis for determining that the requirements reflected the minimum needs of the agency.