[Protest of Air Force Rejection of Proposal Modifications as Late]

A firm protested the Air Force's rejection of its late bid modifications, contending that the Air Force should have accepted the modifications it submitted pursuant to discussions with the contracting officer, then requested best and final offers. GAO held that, since the Air Force intended to make award on the basis of the lowest price, it was not required to solicit bid modifications or best and final offers from offerers in the competitive range. Accordingly, the protest was denied.