B-195423: Dec 19, 1979

A company protested a contract award for dictating equipment on the grounds that its quotation was less than the one submitted by the awardee. An agency may legally justify the selection of a higher-priced item if it is essential that the item be compatible with items or systems already existing in the offices for which they are being procured. The protester disputed such a determination in favor...

B-195423: Dec 19, 1979

DIGEST: PURCHASE OF OTHER THAN LOWEST-PRICED DICTATING EQUIPMENT FROM FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE IS JUSTIFIED WHERE. THERE IS NEED FOR COMPATIBILITY. DICTAPHONE OBJECTS TO THE AWARD BECAUSE ITS QUOTATION WAS $5. DICTAPHONE'S PROTEST IS DENIED. ONE JUSTIFICATION FOR SELECTION OF A HIGHER-PRICED ITEM IS THAT "IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE ITEM SELECTED BE COMPATIBLE WITH ITEMS OR SYSTEMS ALREADY EXISTING WI...