[Protest of Rejection of Bid Under D.C. Solicitation]

A firm protested the award of a contract to another firm under a solicitation issued by the District of Columbia, contending that its bid was improperly rejected as nonresponsible and challenging the District's affirmative determination of responsibility regarding the awardee. GAO rendered its decision in response to a court request. The District determined that the protester was not responsible because it could not meet the 5-year experience requirement. The District allowed the protester an opportunity to correct the deficiencies in its bid, but the protester did not do so until the day the District awarded the contract to the second low bidder. GAO held that the District reasonably determined that the protester was not responsible and allowed the protester a more than adequate period of time to prove responsibility. GAO also found that the District reasonably determined that the awardee was responsible. Accordingly, the protest was denied.