[Protest of Marine Corps Solicitation for Cargo Containers]

A firm protested a Marine Corps solicitation for cargo containers, contending that the solicitation was unduly restrictive of competition because it required prospective bidders to obtain certification of their containers prior to submitting proposals. GAO held that the Marine Corps did not establish that the cargo container requirement was necessary to meet its needs. Accordingly, the protest was sustained, and GAO recommended that the Marine Corps: (1) amend the solicitation to permit certification of proposed containers by time of the award, and resolicit the requirement; and (2) reimburse the protester for its protest costs.