[Protest Against Proposed DOT Subcontract Award for Ship Repair]

A firm protested a proposed subcontract award under a Maritime Administration (MARAD) prime contractor solicitation for ship repair, contending that: (1) the prime contractor improperly awarded the contract based solely on the awardee's low bid; (2) the awardee was not capable of performing the contract; (3) the prime contractor's staffing estimate was unreasonably low; and (4) it was entitled to reimbursement for its bid and protest preparation costs. GAO held that the: (1) prime contractor properly awarded the contract to the low bidder; (2) protester's allegation that the awardee was incapable of performing the contract was a matter of responsibility, which it would not consider; (3) protester untimely filed after bid opening its protest concerning the staffing requirement; and (4) protester was not entitled to reimbursement for bid and protest preparation costs, since its protest was without merit. Accordingly, the protest was denied in part and dismissed in part, and the claim was denied.