[Protest of Marine Corps Bid Rejection and IFB Cancellation]

A firm protested the rejection of all bids and the cancellation of a solicitation issued by the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps solicited bids for a turret punch press, but when it was discovered that the amount of money allotted for the purchase was not enough and no additional funds were available, the contracting officer cancelled the solicitation. The protester contended that the solicitation was cancelled without a compelling reason and requested award of the contract and bid preparation costs, protest costs, and attorney's fees. GAO has held that an agency's determination that funds are unavailable for a procurement is sufficient reason to cancel a solicitation. Accordingly, the protest and request for costs and attorney's fees were denied.