B-187448, OCTOBER 1, 1976

B-187448, OCTOBER 1, 1976

GAO MAY NOT RENDER AUTHORITATIVE DECISION ON PROTEST OF CONCESSION CONTRACT AWARDED ON BEHALF OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITY SINCE BID PROTEST JURISDICTION IS BASED ON ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY.

BILL RANSDALL AND COMPANY:

BILL RANSDALL AND COMPANY PROTESTS THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO ANOTHER BIDDER UNDER SOLICITATION NO. OV-(75-11)-76-67, ISSUED BY THE OHIO VALLEY EXCHANGE REGION, CHARLESTOWN, INDIANA.

THIS CONTRACT CONCERNS THE GRANTING OF A BARBER SHOP CONCESSION AT FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, ON BEHALF OF THE EXCHANGE, A NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITY, AND DOES NOT INVOLVE EITHER THE EXPENDITURE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS OR THE RECEIPT OF FUNDS ALLOCABLE TO AN ACCOUNT OF THE UNITED STATES. WITH REGARD TO PROCUREMENTS CONDUCTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND ACTIVITIES, THIS OFFICE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RENDER AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS. ACS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., B-183034, APRIL 18, 1975, 75-1 CPD 238. OUR BID PROTEST JURISDICTION IS BASED ON OUR AUTHORITY TO ADJUST AND SETTLE ACCOUNTS AND TO CERTIFY BALANCES IN THE ACCOUNTS OF ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS UNDER 31 U.S.C. 71, 74 (1970). WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE SUCH SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY, WE HAVE DECLINED TO CONSIDER PROTESTS ON THE GROUNDS THAT WE ARE PRECLUDED FROM RENDERING AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS ON THESE MATTERS. EQUITABLE TRUST BANK, B-181469, JULY 9, 1974, 74-2 CPD 14. SEE ALSO STANDARD BEAUTY AND BARBER SUPPLY CO., INC., B-186357, MAY 4, 1976, 76-1 CPD 302.

ACCORDINGLY, WE CAN TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION AND THE PROTEST IS DISMISSED.