[Protest of Navy's Exclusion of Proposal From Competitive Range]

A firm protested the Navy's exclusion of its proposal from the competitive range under a request for proposals for high frequency radios and accessories. The Navy contended that it excluded the protester's proposal because it failed to demonstrate sufficient technical understanding to ensure compliance with certain specifications and interchangeability requirements. The protester alleged that: (1) it was capable of producing the required equipment; (2) the Navy improperly excluded its proposal; and (3) the solicitation did not require the submission of a technical analysis. GAO held that: (1) a technical evaluation must be based solely on information submitted with a proposal regardless of a firm's capabilities; (2) the Navy reasonably determined that the protester's proposal was technically unacceptable due to major material deficiencies; and (3) a solicitation amendment informed offerers of the technical documentation requirements. Accordingly, the protest was denied.