Protest of Air Force Determination of Nonresponsibility

B-200360: Jan 22, 1981

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A firm protested its rejection by the Department of the Air Force as nonresponsible and the denial by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of a Certificate of Competency (COC). The protester objected to the grounds for the denial of the COC since it submitted a letter of credit which the protester contended was ignored. Further, the protester stated that the cost estimates used by the Air Force were too high since the solicitation only required alternate-day services. GAO has no authority to review an SBA determination, to require issuance of a COC, or to reopen a case where a COC has been denied unless the protester has made a prima facie showing of fraud or that information vital to the responsibility determination was willfully disregarded. Under the circumstances, the actions of both the Air Force and SBA appeared to be consistent with their responsibilities, and the protester offered no evidence to prove otherwise. Accordingly, the protest was denied.