Protest Against Contract Award for Cleaning Services

A firm protested the award of a cost reimbursement plus award fee incentive type contract to a competitor for management and cleaning services. The protester argued that the solicitation specifications were unclear and should have included a window count. In addition, the protester contended that the competitor's contract performance will include the use of certain Government equipment that would not have been furnished to any other contractor. Protests based on alleged improprieties in the request for proposals which are apparent prior to the closing date for receipt of the initial proposals must be filed by that date. The protest was received after that date, thus was untimely, and was not considered on the merits.