[Protest of Army Contract Award]

A firm protested an Army contract award, contending that its lower bid which was rejected should have been accepted because, although its product differed from the solicitation specifications, it was essentially equal to the awardee's product. The protester believed that, by requiring only one type of product, the solicitation was unduly restrictive. Under bid protest procedures, protests alleging solicitation improprieties should be filed prior to bid opening. Since this protest was not filed until after that date, it was untimely and not for consideration. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.