Protest against Determination of Nonresponsibility

The protester objected to the award of contracts providing management and technical assistance services to eligible businesses in three geographical areas. Conflicting information relative to the responsibility of the prospective contractor was a matter of record, so the contracting officer had the duty to resolve inconsistencies and uncertainties before making a reasoned judgment of responsibility. Although some of the bases for the determination of nonresponsibility were unreasonable, the contracting officer's determination of nonresponsibility was not disturbed since the protester did not meet the definitive criterion of responsibility required by the request for proposals.