[Request for Reconsideration of Dismissal of Protest Against Cancellation of Forest Service Timber Sale]
Highlights
A firm requested reconsideration of the dismissal of its untimely protest against the Forest Service's cancellation of a timber sale, contending that the Forest Service: (1) gave it incorrect advice that caused its protest to be untimely filed; and (2) was willing to accept a waiver of protest timeliness requirements in this instance. The Forest Service cancelled the sale because the applicable environmental impact statement needed to be supplemented. Upon reconsideration, GAO held that: (1) the protester failed to protest to GAO within 10 days of the time the Forest Service denied its initial, incorrect protest; (2) the Forest Service had no authority to waive GAO bid protest timeliness requirements; and (3) it would not grant a waiver under the instant circumstances. Accordingly, the dismissal was affirmed.