Request To Reinstate GAO Review of Grant-Related Procurement Complaint

A firm protested the award of a contract by the city of Kansas City, Missouri, under a contract substantially funded by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant. Initially, the protester filed its complaint with GAO without first filing a protest with the grantee in accordance with EPA protest procedures. GAO dismissed the protest because it believed that a review of the complaint by the grantee was in process. The protester then informed GAO that it had not sought a formal EPA review, and requested that consideration of its protest be reopened. GAO reviews of grant related contracting practices stem from recognition of the amount of money involved in federally-funded programs. GAO believes its objectives would be best achieved if the prospective contractors seek resolution at the grantee- or grantor-agency level. Since the protester did not seek resolution of its complaint through the established EPA procedures, GAO denied its request to reopen the complaint.