[Protest of VA Schedule Contract Award for Dictation Equipment]

A firm protested a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contract award for a centralized dictation system and related equipment, contending that VA: (1) failed to advertise and seek competition for its intended purchases; (2) exceeded the maximum order limitation by issuing two purchase orders against two different multiple award schedules; and (3) failed to order the lowest priced item from the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract. GAO held that: (1) VA was not required to advertise or seek competition for the equipment, since it was ordering through FSS; (2) VA reasonably determined that only the awardee's equipment met its minimum needs; and (3) the protester untimely filed its protest against VA exceeding the purchase limitation and failing to order the lowest-priced item more than 10 days after it knew the basis of protest. Accordingly, the protest was denied in part and dismissed in part.