[Protest of DOE Contract Award for Training Center Operation]

A firm protested a Department of Energy (DOE) contract award for a training center operation, contending that the awardee's proposal did not comply with solicitation requirements. GAO held that: (1) the awardee's proposal did not comply with solicitation requirements; and (2) DOE improperly awarded the contract. Accordingly, the protest was sustained, and GAO recommended that DOE: (1) reevaluate the previously submitted final revised proposals; (2) seek new revisions only from those offerers who complied with the material solicitation requirements; (3) reaward the contract based on the solicitation's evaluation criteria; and (4) reimburse the protester for its protest costs.