[Protest of Cancellation of Solicitation]

A firm protested that the Army improperly canceled an invitation for bids (IFB) for truck parts without a cogent and compelling reason and contended that it should have been awarded the contract because it was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. The Army canceled the IFB because an amendment, which had been added to the solicitation in response to the protester's suggestion, was not issued in sufficient time to permit all prospective bidders to consider the information before submitting their bids. GAO agreed that the untimely dispatch of the amendment, which resulted in a lack of adequate competition, was a cogent and compelling reason for justifying cancellation. Further, the protester was the low responsive bidder only because of its advance knowledge of the amendment. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.