Contention Against Requirement in RFP

A firm protested any award under a Department of Defense (DOD) request for proposals (RFP). The protester contended that a specification requiring the use of a qualified product was unduly restrictive and that its product would accomplish the same technical results. DOD contended that the product offered by the protester would not meet its needs. GAO held that a difference of technical opinion was not tantamount to an arbitrary action on the part of the procurement activity. The protest was denied.