[Protest of Bid Rejection by DLA]

A firm protested the Defense Logistics Agency's rejection of its late bid. GAO has held that late bids sent by other than registered or certified mail may be accepted if Government mishandling is the paramount cause of the late arrival. The protester complained that mishandling of express mail by the Postal Service delayed its bid. However, "Government" in these circumstances refers to the procuring agency, not the Postal Service. Accordingly, the protest was denied.