Allegation That Low Bidder Does Not Satisfy Required Experience Clause

A complaint was filed against the award of a contract for the design and installation of a train control signal and communications system on the grounds that the successful bidder did not possess sufficient staff or financial capability to perform the contract in a timely manner. Unless fraud is alleged, however, GAO will not review this question. The unsuccessful bidder also contended that because the grantee did not have experience in the design, furnishing and installation of the exact type of circuitry to be used, the grantee did not comply with a clause requiring experience with complete signal systems of the same general type as called for in the contract. GAO held that experience need not involve the exact type of circuitry in order to be considered as the same general type. If a solicitation requires a particular type of experience, GAO needs only to determine whether the offeror submitted reasonable evidence that he possessed the specified experience; the quality and sufficiency of the experience will be left to the subjective judgment of the grantee to determine.