[Protest of GPO Solicitation Cancellation After Bid Opening]

A firm protested the cancellation and resolicitation of the Government Printing Office's invitation for bids (IFB) for envelopes requisitioned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the subsequent award to another firm. The change in the IFB was warranted by the urgent need of IRS to have envelopes with center seam construction. The protester, proposing to furnish envelopes with side seam construction, contended that the cancellation was not necessary and requested reinstatement of the original IFB under which it was the lowest responsive bidder. GAO stated that cancellation of the IFB after bid opening was proper because the specifications were not adequate, and there was a compelling reason to revise them to reflect the Government's minimum needs. Accordingly, the protest was denied.