[Protest of Air Force RFP Specifications]

A firm protested two Air Force requests for proposals (RFP) for tachometer generators, contending that they contained specifications that were unduly restrictive of competition. The protester claimed that the agency overstated its minimum needs and that its own generator was interchangeable with the one specified in the solicitation. The protester further stated that, by permitting offers of overhauled surplus generators in another RFP, the Air Force admitted the adequacy of its product. The Air Force conducted a detailed technical evaluation of the protester's product and found that it did not have several specified design features. GAO has held that, once an agency has made a prima facie case of its minimum needs, the protester carries the burden of proving that the agency's determination is unreasonable. GAO found that the protester had not proven that the agency's determination was unreasonable; further, GAO found the issue of the solicitation of used surplus generators to be irrelevant. Accordingly, the protest was denied.