[Protest of DLA Rejection of Bids as Late]

Two firms protested the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) rejection of their late bids for fuel, contending that: (1) DLA should have accepted their bids because the bids were late due to government mishandling; and (2) the solicitation should have advised bidders that there was no responsible party to accept bids during non-business hours. GAO held that: (1) DLA could not accept the bids after bid opening since the bidders' failure to follow procedures, rather than improper government action, caused the late delivery; and (2) it was unreasonable to expect to deliver the bids after normal business hours. Accordingly, the protest was denied.