DIGEST: PROTEST SENT TO GAO BY REGISTERED MAIL LESS THAN 5 DAYS PRIOR TO DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT AND RECEIVED AFTER DEADLINE IS UNTIMELY UNDER BID PROTEST PROCEDURES AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED ON MERITS. AMSCO CLAIMS THAT THE SAME EQUIPMENT COULD HAVE BEEN PURCHASED FROM ITS FIRM FOR ABOUT $20. 000 LESS BY MEANS OF VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DECENTRALIZED SUPPLY CONTRACTS WHICH WERE AVAILABLE FOR ARMY U...

A company protested the award of a contract for hospital sterilizer equipment by the Department of the Army. The initial protest was denied by the Army; and under GAO Bid Protest Procedures, any subsequent protest to GAO must be filed within 10 days of initial adverse agency action. Because the firm did not file a protest within 10 days, the protest was ruled untimely. An untimely protest will be...