B-141615, JAN. 14, 1960
Highlights
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: HEREWITH IS A COPY OF OUR LETTER OF TODAY TO MR. IT WILL BE NOTED THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER EXECUTED THE CONTRACT AT THE LOW BID PRICE PLUS AN AMOUNT ALLEGED BY THE LOW BIDDER TO HAVE BEEN ERRONEOUSLY OMITTED FROM THE BID. THE CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THE MATTER ARE SUCH THAT HAD THE ALLEGATION OF ERROR BEEN SUBMITTED TO OUR OFFICE FOR DETERMINATION. CORRECTION WOULD HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED. THERE IS NO AUTHORITY IN THE CONTRACTING OFFICER TO MAKE SUCH CORRECTION. IT IS REQUESTED THAT ACTION BE TAKEN TO INSURE THAT FUTURE BID CORRECTIONS ARE HANDLED IN AN AUTHORIZED MANNER.
B-141615, JAN. 14, 1960
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR:
HEREWITH IS A COPY OF OUR LETTER OF TODAY TO MR. E. E. FINGERSON, CERTIFYING OFFICER, AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF A VOUCHER UNDER CONTRACT NO. 14 -10-436-303, IF OTHERWISE CORRECT. IT WILL BE NOTED THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER EXECUTED THE CONTRACT AT THE LOW BID PRICE PLUS AN AMOUNT ALLEGED BY THE LOW BIDDER TO HAVE BEEN ERRONEOUSLY OMITTED FROM THE BID. THE CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THE MATTER ARE SUCH THAT HAD THE ALLEGATION OF ERROR BEEN SUBMITTED TO OUR OFFICE FOR DETERMINATION, CORRECTION WOULD HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO AUTHORITY IN THE CONTRACTING OFFICER TO MAKE SUCH CORRECTION. SEE IN THIS CONNECTION, 38 COMP. GEN. 177. IT IS REQUESTED THAT ACTION BE TAKEN TO INSURE THAT FUTURE BID CORRECTIONS ARE HANDLED IN AN AUTHORIZED MANNER.