Protest Involving Solicitation Improprieties and Unbalanced Bids

Three companies protested certain aspects of a solicitation involving solicitation improprieties and unbalanced bids. Although the protest concerning a line item in the solicitation was untimely filed after bid opening, it was considered on its merits as a proper exercise of administrative discretion. The omission of one line item, even though it may have a significant cost effect, does not constitute a compelling reason to reject all bids and to readvertise. If an unbalanced bid meets the Government's actual needs, it may be accepted even though it is unbalanced.