B-244757, Aug 7, 1991, 91-2 CPD ***
Highlights
PROCUREMENT - Bid Protests - GAO procedures - Interested parties DIGEST: Private person who does not represent any entity participating in questioned procurements and protests only as concerned taxpayer is not an interested party under Bid Protest Regulations. 56 Fed.Reg. 3. DACW54 90- C-0026. /1/ Bland argues that he is "not a contractor but a concerned tax payer" who believes a full investigation into the agency's actions is warranted. Whether a party is sufficiently interested depends on its status in relation to the procurement. Private persons who do not represent any entity participating in a questioned procurement and protest only as concerned taxpayers are not interested parties under our Regulations.
B-244757, Aug 7, 1991, 91-2 CPD ***
PROCUREMENT - Bid Protests - GAO procedures - Interested parties DIGEST: Private person who does not represent any entity participating in questioned procurements and protests only as concerned taxpayer is not an interested party under Bid Protest Regulations. 56 Fed.Reg. 3,759 (1991) (to be codified at 4 C.F.R. Sec. 21.0(a)).
Attorneys
Jeffery B. Bland:
Jeffery B. Bland protests the decision not to extend the contract of Souder Company by the Department of the Army under contract No. DACW54 90- C-0026. /1/ Bland argues that he is "not a contractor but a concerned tax payer" who believes a full investigation into the agency's actions is warranted.
We dismiss the protest.
Bland requests that we conduct an investigation into the Army's actions regarding its determination regarding the Souder contract and related solicitations. However, our Office does not conduct investigations as part of our bid protest function. Caelus Devices, Inc.-- Recon., B-241336.3, Dec. 14, 1990, 90-2 CPD Para. 491.
Further, in order to maintain a protest in our Office a protester must be an interested party. 56 Fed.Reg. 3,759 (1991) (to be codified at 4 C.F.R. Sec. 21.0(a)). The interested party requirement serves to ensure that the protesting party has a sufficient stake in the outcome of the protest. Information Mktg. Int'l, B-216945, June 28, 1985, 85-1 CPD Para. 740. Whether a party is sufficiently interested depends on its status in relation to the procurement, the nature of the issue raised, and how these circumstances show the existence of a direct or substantial interest on the part of the protester. Id. Private persons who do not represent any entity participating in a questioned procurement and protest only as concerned taxpayers are not interested parties under our Regulations. Turbine Engine Servs., B-210411.2, Apr. 3, 1984, 84-1 CPD Para. 376.
The protest is dismissed.
/1/ We previously dismissed Souder's protest against the decision of the agency not to extend its contract since Souderhad no legal right to compel the exercise of a contract option. Souder Co., B-243309, Mar. 18, 1991.