B-192580, DECEMBER 5, 1978

000 IF NOTICE TO PROCEED IS ISSUED WITHIN 7 DAYS OR SOONER IN ORDER FOR WORK TO BE COMPLETED THIS FALL" COULD NOT BE GIVEN EFFECT IN EVALUATION OF BIDS SINCE BY EFFECTIVELY LIMITING TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE OF BID. THE PROCUREMENT WAS TOTALLY SET ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. HE WAS ALLOWED TO DO SO. THE BID OPENING OFFICER OPENED THE BIDS AND THEY WERE READ. WHEN SHE CAME TO THE WILSON BID IT WAS $82. 000 IF NOTICE TO PROCEED IS ISSUED WITHIN 7 DAYS OR SOONER IN ORDER FOR WORK TO BE COMPLETED THIS FALL.". THERE IS A CONFLICT AS TO WHETHER THE BID OPENING OFFICER TOLD WILSON TO CROSS OFF CERTAIN WORDS OF THE NOTE. AFTER THE BID WITH THE ENCLOSED NOTE WAS READ ALOUD. WILSON DID LINE OUT THE WORDS "IF NOTICE TO PROCEED IS ISSUED WITHIN 7 DAYS".