[Protest of Navy Contract Award]

A firm protested a Navy contract award for transmitter sets, contending that the Navy was obligated to obtain transportation rates more favorable than standard commercial rates in evaluating proposals. However, the Navy noted that the rates the protester relied on were not filed with the Military Traffic Management Command before the closing date for receipt of proposals. GAO stated that, since the lower preferential rates were not filed until after award, they could not have been considered in the evaluation. Further, GAO stated that it was not unreasonable to leave to the individual offerer responsibility for taking action to protect his interests, which might include filing freight rates of appropriate carriers. Accordingly, the protest was denied.