Request for Reconsideration

An association for the blind requested reconsideration of a decision dimissing its protest as untimely. In its original protest, the association protested any award of the contract by the Defense Logistics Agency. The protester contended that wage rate determinations pursuant to labor legislation should have specified a uniform nationwide rate rather than different rates in the localities where the services would be performed. In addition, the association contended that the job classifications utilized in the solicitation were not uniform in number or title for different sections of the country. Reconsiderations of untimely protests are permitted where issues significant to procurement practices are raised. However, where the protest involves issues which have been considered in prior decisions such issues are not significant. The propriety of utilizing job classifications that vary in title and number in solicitations for the same work in different regions of the country does not raise a significant issue. These job classifications apparently reflect the service employees that are customarily employed in the particular region. The prior decision was affirmed.