Request for Reconsideration Alleging Overly Restrictive Solicitation

A firm requested reconsideration of a prior decision denying its protest under an invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the Air Force. In the prior decision, the protester contended that the IFB for the relocation of a pastry kitchen was overly restrictive since, for ventilation purposes, it allowed bids only on ovens with hood vents. The protester argued that its self-venting ovens would provide adequate ventilation at a lower cost. GAO denied the protest because the Air Force, being in the best position to determine its own needs, concluded that only ovens with hood vents would provide proper ventilation, and the protester failed to sustain its burden of establishing that the agency's determination lacked a rational basis. Bid protest procedures require that a request for reconsideration contain a detailed statement of the factual or legal grounds which allegedly warrant reversal of the prior decision. The protester registered strong disagreement with the ruling on its protest, concluding that the decision was illogical. However, it did not submit any facts, arguments, or points of law which were not previously considered in the review of the record of this procurement. Therefore, the protester's request provided no basis for considering the matter further. Accordingly, the request for reconsideration was denied.