[Protest of Solicitation Specification]

A firm protested a performance bond requirement under an invitation for bids issued by the Navy. Bid protest procedures provide that protests of alleged improprieties in a solicitation which are apparent prior to bid opening must be filed with GAO prior to that date. In this case, the protest was not received by GAO until after bid opening. Therefore, it was untimely and not for consideration on its merits. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.