[Request for Reconsideration of Untimely Protest]

A firm requested reconsideration of a decision in which GAO dismissed as untimely its allegation that it was treated unfairly because it was not given an opportunity to submit a revised offer on a newly qualified solicitation item. The firm argued that it had raised this issue in earlier submissions to GAO and, even if the protest was untimely, it should be considered under the significant issue exception to the timeliness rules. GAO reviewed the firm's submissions and found that they did not specifically raise the issue, therefore, the firm's protest was untimely under bid protest procedures. Regarding the firm's contention that its protest should be considered under the significant issue exception, GAO stated that this exception is strictly construed and sparingly used and that the protest did not fall within the exception. Accordingly, the prior decision was affirmed.