B-134846, JUN. 12, 1958

ALLEN FULMER CO.: REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF JANUARY 6. YOU STATE THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THREE MANUFACTURERS OF STANDARD CONVENTIONAL HONING MACHINES. THAT YOU DID NOT SUBMIT A BID IN RESPONSE TO THE SUBJECT INVITATION FOR THE REASON THAT THE MACHINE SPECIFIED IN THE INVITATION IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED MACHINE AND MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OF THE THREE EXISTING COMMERCIAL MACHINES. ALSO REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR OFFICE HAVE INVESTIGATED THE MATTER AT JACKSONVILLE. FOUR BIDS WERE RECEIVED AS FOLLOWS: CHART GEORGE E. 537.40 IT APPEARS THAT AWARD WAS MADE TO COMPAIR. SINCE ITS BID WAS THE ONLY ONE SATISFACTORILY MEETING THE SPECIFICATIONS AND ALSO WAS THE SECOND LOWEST BID. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE NEED FOR A HONING MACHINE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO HONE VARIOUS SIZES OF AIRCRAFT ENGINE CYLINDERS BY PRODUCTION-LINE TYPE OPERATIONS WAS DETERMINED BY THE NAVAL AIR STATION.