Protest Based on Contentions That Specifications Were Not Met and That Cost Evaluation Was Improper

The bases for a protest to a contract award were that: the awardee's equipment did not fall into the proper classification; its equipment was used, contrary to requirements for new equipment; and the protester's offer reflected a lower overall cost than awardee's. The protest was denied because: the solicitation did not require that items offered be previously classified but that they meet performance requirements, specifications did not call for new equipment, and the agency's evaluation of cost was proper--it was not required to evaluate equipment features which were not in specification criteria or factors such as employees' morale.