Untimely Telegraphic Bid Modification

The protester objected to the rejection of a modification to its bid as late. The bid modification was untimely since the telegram was received after bid opening. Erroneous information provided by the agency and the agency's acceptance of the telegraph company's delivery by telephone did not constitute Government mishandling solely responsible for or the paramount reason for the untimely receipt of the telegraphic bid modification. The telegram qualified as official Government business, and the telegraph company should have been aware of the existence of its own tie-in line to the Government installation.