The third low bidder under a solicitation contended that the first and second low bids should have been rejected as nonresponsive. The protest was considered even though it was untimely since it reflected serious misunderstandings by the agency of concepts of responsibility and responsiveness. The following deficiencies in the procurement were noted: "Descriptive Schedules" in the solicitation con...

CONTRACTS - PROTESTS - TIMELINESS - CONSIDERED ON MERITS UNTIMELY PROTEST IS CONSIDERED ON MERITS BECAUSE IT REFLECTS SERIOUS MISUNDERSTANDING BY AGENCY OF CONCEPTS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS AS APPLIED IN PRIOR GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) DECISIONS. CONTRACTS - SPECIFICATIONS - DESCRIPTIVE DATA - FAILURE TO INSERT SPECIFIC INFORMATION - BID NONRESPONSIVE INCLUSION IN INVITATION FOR...