[Protest of Interior Contract Award Alleging Improper Rejection of Bid]

B-214122: Feb 27, 1984

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A firm protested a Department of the Interior contract award for an aircraft, complaining that its bid was improperly rejected as late. The protester contended that, although it was on the bidders list, it did not receive a copy of the solicitation until the day before bid opening and then made every effort to submit its bid on time. It is the bidder's responsibility to ensure the timely arrival of its bid, and late receipt generally requires bid rejection. A late hand-carried bid may be considered only where it can be shown that wrongful Government action was the cause of the late receipt. In this case, there was no allegation of any Government impropriety. In addition, there was no evidence to suggest that the agency deliberately neglected to send the protester a copy of the solicitation. Accordingly, GAO concluded that the rejection of the late bid was proper and the protest was denied.