Protests re Violation of Specifications and Specification Change Not Communicated to All Bidders

Procurement for warehouse mechanization and modernization equipment was protested because of alleged improper specifications. Protest that award to bidder who offered 16-gage steel rollers in lieu of 14-gage violates specifications and that the decision to relax requirements favored awardee and should have been communicated to all offerors was sustained. Cancellation of the second phase of procurement and reopening of phase one was recommended. (DJM)