B-200537: May 6, 1981

The Department of the Interior issued an invitation for bids for an equipment procurement. Before bid opening, the protester advised the contracting officer of various specification deficiencies and their alleged restrictiveness. In response, the contracting officer called the protester's attention to the acceptance clause. When the bids were opened, the protester's low bid was found nonresponsive...

B-200537: May 6, 1981

PROPER COURSE OF ACTION WAS TO CANCEL IFB AND ISSUE NEW SOLICITATION ACCURATELY SETTING FORTH GOVERNMENT'S LEGITIMATE NEEDS. THE IFB STIPULATED THAT THE GRADER WAS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS 00-6-630E. OR IN MINOR DETAILS FROM THIS SPECIFICATION WHERE SUCH DEVIATION DOES NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MOTOR GRADER AND WHERE SUCH ACCEPTANCE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE GOVERNMENT."....