[Request for Reconsideration of Decision Concerning Protest Against AID Contract Award]

A firm requested reconsideration of its protest of an Agency for International Development (AID) contract award for international ship booking, chartering, and freight-forwarding services. GAO had: (1) sustained the protester's allegation that AID failed to adequately document the award; (2) denied the protester's contentions that the awardee's bid was nonresponsive and that AID failed to conduct meaningful discussions; and (3) dismissed as untimely the contention that AID improperly held meetings with other offerers. In its request for reconsideration, the protester contended that: (1) it timely filed its protest that AID conducted improper meetings; (2) AID failed to follow the GAO recommendation that it review all offerers' scores; and (3) AID should reimburse it for its bid and protest preparation costs. GAO held that: (1) the protester untimely filed its protest concerning AID meetings; (2) AID properly reviewed both the protester's and the awardee's scores; and (3) the protester was not entitled to reimbursement for its bid and protest preparation costs. Accordingly, the request for reconsideration and the claim were denied.