B-216055, AUG 22, 1984, 84-2 CPD 218
Highlights
THIS MATTER IS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (IF A SMALL BUSINESS IS INVOLVED) AND THE SECRETARY OF LABOR. A FIRM'S ABILITY TO PERFORM IS A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY. GAO WILL NOT REVIEW AN AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATION IN THAT RESPECT EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. CONTENDS THAT DOA DOES NOT HAVE EITHER THE FINANCIAL OR TECHNICAL CAPABILITY TO SATISFY ALL THE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AT THE PRICES OFFERED. THIS MATTER IS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (IF A SMALL BUSINESS IS INVOLVED) AND THE SECRETARY OF LABOR. OUR OFFICE DOES NOT REVIEW SUCH A DETERMINATION ABSENT A SHOWING OF POSSIBLE FRAUD ON THE PART OF PROCURING OFFICIALS OR AN ALLEGATION THAT THE SOLICITATION CONTAINS DEFINITIVE RESPONSIBILITY CRITERIA THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED.
B-216055, AUG 22, 1984, 84-2 CPD 218
BIDDERS - QUALIFICATIONS - MANUFACTURER OR DEALER - REVIEW DIGEST: 1. GAO DOES NOT CONSIDER THE LEGAL STATUS OF A FIRM AS A REGULAR DEALER OR A MANUFACTURER WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE WALSH-HEALEY ACT. BY LAW, THIS MATTER IS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (IF A SMALL BUSINESS IS INVOLVED) AND THE SECRETARY OF LABOR. CONTRACTORS - RESPONSIBILITY - DETERMINATION - REVIEW BY GAO - AFFIRMATIVE FINDING ACCEPTED 2. A FIRM'S ABILITY TO PERFORM IS A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY, AND GAO WILL NOT REVIEW AN AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATION IN THAT RESPECT EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
JANKE AND COMPANY, INC.:
JANKE AND COMPANY, INC. PROTESTS THE PROPOSED AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO DOB CORPORATION UNDER DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SOLICITATION NO. N68335-84 R- 0874. JANKE COMPLAINS THAT DOB DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A REGULAR DEALER OR MANUFACTURER, AND CONTENDS THAT DOA DOES NOT HAVE EITHER THE FINANCIAL OR TECHNICAL CAPABILITY TO SATISFY ALL THE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AT THE PRICES OFFERED.
THIS OFFICE DOES NOT CONSIDER THE LEGAL STATUS OF A FIRM AS A REGULAR DEALER OR A MANUFACTURER WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE WALSH-HEALEY ACT, 41 U.S.C. SECS. 35-45 (1982). BY LAW, THIS MATTER IS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (IF A SMALL BUSINESS IS INVOLVED) AND THE SECRETARY OF LABOR. DIXIE BAG CORPORATION, B-210898.2, JULY 15, 1983, 83-2 CPD PARA. 97.
DOB'S ABILITY TO PERFORM INVOLVES THE FIRM'S RESPONSIBILITY, AND AN AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATION IN THAT RESPECT MUST PRECEDE ANY AWARD. OUR OFFICE DOES NOT REVIEW SUCH A DETERMINATION ABSENT A SHOWING OF POSSIBLE FRAUD ON THE PART OF PROCURING OFFICIALS OR AN ALLEGATION THAT THE SOLICITATION CONTAINS DEFINITIVE RESPONSIBILITY CRITERIA THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED. VOYAGER EMBLEMS, INC., B-206301, FEB. 10, 1982, 82-1 CPD PARA. 127.
THE PROTEST IS DISMISSED.