[Protest of Forest Service Bid Rejection Under Timber Sale]

The Forest Service requested a decision concerning a firm's agency-level protest against the Forest Service's rejection of its bid for a timber purchase. The protester submitted a bid deposit in the form of a company check; however, the solicitation required that deposits be in the form of a certified or cashier's check, a bank draft, or a bank money order. The protester argued that the Forest Service improperly rejected its bid because the form of deposit was a mere technicality. GAO held that the bid guarantee requirement was a material part of the solicitation which could not be waived. Accordingly, the Forest Service properly rejected the protester's bid as nonresponsive.