Adequacy of Preaward Survey

Schering Corporation protested the procedures followed by the Defense Logistics Agency in procurement negotiations for pharmaceutical products, complaining that a competitive bidder was not qualified as a manufacturer or regular dealer. GAO dismissed the protest because a determination of the competitor's responsibility could act to Schering's detriment; such determinations are not reviewed by GAO in any case. Furthermore, determination of an offeror's qualification as a manufacturer or regular dealer is a matter for consideration by the contracting agency, not GAO. Schering's request for a conference on the merits was also denied.