[Protest of GSA Award of Lease for Office Space]

A firm protested the General Services Administration's (GSA) award of a lease to another firm for office space, contending that GSA: (1) incorrectly assumed that it could not meet the solicitation's space requirements; and (2) deliberately excluded it from competition. GSA stated that it intentionally excluded the protester, since its market survey showed that the protester's building was completely occupied. GAO held that: (1) GSA improperly excluded the protester from the competition, since the protester proved that it was capable of providing the required space; and (2) the protester was entitled to reimbursement for its bid and protest preparation costs. Accordingly, the protest was sustained.