Protest Against Specifications in RFP

At the request of California Computer Products, Inc., GAO agreed to reconsider a prior decision that dismissed the protest by the firm as untimely. After the General Services Administration (GSA) amended its request for proposals, California Computer Products wrote a letter expressing the view that the specifications were still restrictive and requested that the closing date be extended. GSA did not view the letter as a protest, and GAO agreed that this letter was not timely filed. The firm also delivered a copy of the letter to GAO, but a copy of the letter of protest addressed to the procuring agency did not constitute a protest to GAO. Protests to GAO must be addressed to the General Counsel and must request a ruling by the Comptroller General. Accordingly, the prior decision was affirmed.