[Protest Under Army IFB]

A firm protested under an Army invitation for bids (IFB) contending that: (1) the purchase description was unduly restrictive; (2) there were antitrust violations; and (3) two low bids were improperly rejected as nonresponsive. GAO stated that a protest based on alleged improprieties in an IFB must be filed prior to the bid opening to be timely and, in this instance, the protest was filed too late. In addition, GAO will not consider allegations of antitrust violations or issues that do not involve interested parties. The protester's bid was not one of the bids allegedly rejected as nonresponsive and, therefore, the firm was not an interested party on this issue. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.