GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE CONCLUDES THAT RATIONALE IS SOUND NOTWITHSTANDING ALLEGATIONS THAT PAST EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC NATURE OF PROTESTER IDEALLY SUITED IT TO DO STUDY IN QUESTION. SINCE DECISION MERELY APPLIED COMMON SENSE PRINCIPLE THAT IF TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE ESSENTIALLY EQUAL. THE ONLY REMAINING CONSIDERATION FOR SELECTION OF CONTRACTOR IS COST. CONTRACTS - NEGOTIATION - OFFERS OR...

Bidder protested award for environmental information services because its proposal technically evaluated as first ranked was disregarded in favor of lower technical score but lower cost proposal. Agency found first three potential contractors equal technically so that the only remaining consideration was cost. The contractor selection was sound, notwithstanding protester's alleged academic nature...