NOTHING IN THE IFB OR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CONFERENCE INDICATED THAT IT WAS INTENDED AS A PREREQUISITE TO RESPONSIVE BIDDING. FURTHER A CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY WITH REGARD TO CLASSIFICATIONS CONCERNING AREAS OF CONCENTRATED EMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT DOES NOT ENTITLE A BIDDER TO PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE EVENT IT IS NOT THE LOW BIDDER. THEREFORE THE PROTEST IS DENIED. SECRETARY: REFERENC...

ALTHOUGH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER FAILED TO INCLUDE IN THE FILE FORWARDED TO GAO DOCUMENTATION SUBSTANTIATING THE DETERMINATION THAT AWARD WAS REQUIRED NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROTEST. THE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ASPR 2- 407.8(A)(2)(VI) AND (B)(3) IS A PROCEDURAL DEFECT AND DOES NOT AFFECT THE LEGALITY OF THE AWARD. TO WITTE & WITTE: REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTERS OF NOVEMBER 6. MADE BEFORE OUR DECIS...