[Protest of Air Force Contract Award for a Computer System]

A firm protested an Air Force contract award for a computer system and associated software, maintenance, and support. The protester contested the validity of the evaluation scheme, contending that: (1) the criteria, such as technical factors and vendor support capabilities were subjective; (2) technical factors carried three times the weight of cost factors; and (3) the evaluation was based on the concept of least risk as opposed to the most advantageous offer. GAO held that: (1) the protest of the subjectivity of the criteria was without merit, since the criteria were set forth in the solicitation and could only be evaluated subjectively; (2) the protest of the relative weight of the evaluation factors was untimely, since it was filed after the closing date for receipt of proposals; and (3) risk may properly be considered in determining which proposal is most advantageous to the government. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed in part and denied in part.