[Protest of Bid Rejection Under Air Force IFB]

A small business protested the Air Force's rejection of its bid submitted under an invitation for bids. The Air Force had found the protester to be nonresponsible on the basis of a lack of financial capability. The Air Force referred its decision to the Small Business Administration (SBA) which affirmed the Air Force decision and declined to issue the protester a Certificate of Competency (COC). GAO does not question an SBA refusal to issue a COC absent a showing of fraud or bad faith. Since no such showing was made, the protest was dismissed.