[Request for Reconsideration of Decision Concerning VA Procurement]

A firm requested reconsideration of a decision concerning a Veterans Administration (VA) contract award for the supply of home oxygen services. The protester argued that: (1) it submitted the lowest bid and should have been awarded the contract; (2) it only recently became aware that VA would exercise the option under the current contract rather than resolicit the requirement; (3) the exact basis of bid evaluation was not disclosed; and (4) VA did not select the lowest overall bid. GAO noted that: (1) although the protester submitted the lowest monthly rental cost, the awardee was found to be the low bidder based on the total amount of work to be awarded; (2) the evaluation method was not specifically set forth in the solicitation; and (3) the agency's actions were proper in view of the requirement that award be made on the basis of the most favorable cost to the government. GAO found that: (1) the protester's allegations were the same as those considered and rejected in the prior decision; (2) the request for reconsideration was filed more than 1 year after the decision was issued and, therefore, was untimely; and (3) the decision to exercise the contract option under the current contract was a matter of contract administration which is not for review under bid protest functions. Accordingly, the request for reconsideration was dismissed.