[Protest of FAA Rejection of Bid Modification as Late]

A firm protested the Federal Aviation Administration's rejection of its bid as late under a solicitation for the construction of an airport building. The record showed that the bid was transmitted by the carrier with an erroneous address which resulted in the late arrival. GAO stated that telegraphic bid modifications received late can be considered only if the late receipt is due to mishandling by the government after receipt at the installation. It was undisputed that the protester's bid modification arrived late solely as a result of an error in the address. Therefore, the government could not accept the late bid under the terms of the solicitation. Accordingly, the protest was denied.