Nonresponsive Bid

The protester objected to the award of a contract to the low bidder for the rental of oxygen equipment, alleging that the bid was nonresponsive. The contracting officer's conclusion that the low bidder was not bidding on oxygen but explaining how it was able to bid "no rent" for rental of equipment was not reasonable. The low bidder was, in effect, offering to provide the equipment without cost if it received the indicated price for oxygen. Since the bidders were cautioned against submitting a price for oxygen, the bid was nonresponsive and the contract should be terminated for convenience.