[Protest of Air Force Procedures Under Solicitation for Lighting Systems]

A firm protested an Air Force decision to withdraw a solicitation for lighting systems from a small business program and to conduct a competitive procurement, contending that: (1) the Air Force violated procurement regulations and acted arbitrarily; and (2) GAO should consider its untimely protest as a significant issue. GAO held that: (1) the protester untimely filed its protest more than 10 working days after it learned the basis for protest; and (2) it would not consider the protest, since it did not raise a new issue or one of widespread significance to the procurement community. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.