[Protest of Navy Rejection of Bid as Nonresponsive]

A firm protested the Navy's rejection of its bid as nonresponsive, contending that its failure to provide a price for one of the solicited items was a minor informality which should have been waived. An agency may waive a defect in a bid as a minor informality if the defect is immaterial and if the waiver will not be prejudicial to other bidders. GAO found that the omission of the price appeared to have a negligible effect when compared with the total cost of the services being acquired and had no effect on the competitive standing of the bidders. Therefore, GAO held that the Navy should waive the protester's bid defect as a minor informality. Accordingly, the protest was sustained, and GAO recommended that, if the protester is determined to be responsible, it should receive the award.