[Protest Alleging Forest Service Improperly Refused To Accept Application for Oral Bid]

A prospective bidder on a timber sale protested that the Forest Service improperly refused to accept his application for an oral bid and did not hold the sale at the location specified in its notice. The auctioning officer noticed that the protester's sealed bid did not include any price. Therefore, this bid was rejected as nonresponsive and the officer refused to let the protester participate in an oral auction. GAO found that these actions were proper because a bidder must submit a written sealed bid equal to the minimum acceptable price specified to participate in an oral auction. Without a price, the protester's written bid did not meet this criterion. In addition, GAO failed to see how the change in location prejudiced the protester or provided him a basis for protest since the new location was nearby and prospective bidders were properly directed to the new location. Accordingly, the protest was denied.