Alleged Bid Handling Irregularities by Nonresponsive Bidders

Two firms whose bids were found nonresponsive protested irregularities in bid handling. The firms bids were misplaced but were subsequently found. "Brand name or equal" requirement will not be questioned where solicitation list of essential characteristics was not extensive and did not reference Government specifications. Submission of manufacturer's name and/or model number without descriptive data rendered "equal" bid nonresponsive. Where descriptive data submitted deviated from specifications, blanket offer to comply with specifications did not cure the deviation. The protests were denied.