[Protest of Navy Procurement of Mailroom Services]

A firm protested the opening of proposals under a Navy solicitation for operation and management of central mail room facilities, alleging that it was denied an opportunity for a site visit prior to the closing date for receipt of proposals. The Navy advised that a site visit was held in accordance with the solicitation's notice on a specified date and that no other site visit had been allowed. The protester did not file its protest until after the closing date for the receipt of proposals. GAO found that the protest was untimely, since bid protest regulations require that a protest based upon alleged improprieties in a solicitation which are apparent prior to the closing date for receipt of initial proposals be filed prior to the closing date. Accordingly, the protest was denied.