[Request for Recovery of Bid Preparation Costs]

A firm claimed reimbursement for its bid preparation costs under a Navy solicitation for a camera sled handling system, contending that the: (1) Navy improperly awarded the contract; and (2) third low bidder received such reimbursement. GAO held that the: (1) protester untimely challenged the award; and (2) third low bidder timely protested and its protest settlement was the basis for reimbursement. Accordingly, the protest and claim were denied.