[Protest of DOI Solicitation for Helicopter Services]

A firm protested a Department of the Interior (DOI) solicitation for helicopter services, contending that DOI improperly: (1) included in the commercial item solicitation certain requirements that were not consistent with commercial practice; and (2) qualified helicopter services as a commercial item. GAO held that DOI properly: (1) determined, based on market research, that the helicopter services could be acquired under commercial item procurement regulations; and (2) issued a waiver for the requirements that were not traditionally included in commercial contracts. Accordingly, the protest was denied.