Exclusion from Competitive Range

The protester objected to its exclusion from the competitive range and the award of a cost-reimbursement contract to the low bidder, claiming that it was not advised that the agency would accept a technically acceptable proposal which offered the lowest cost. Although the protester was misled into offering a high quality proposal, it was not prejudiced because the protester was committed to its approach. Other contracts held by the contract awardee result in the firm evaluating its own work; modification of the assessment contract is necessary.