A firm protested the cancellation of an invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the Navy for cleaning the air conditioning duct system in one of the Naval facilities. The apparent low bidder was allowed to withdraw its bid after demonstrating a mistake in the bid. The Navy then met with the protester to review its bid in light of a discrepancy between its bid and the Government estimate. At that meeti...

DIGEST: CANCELLATION OF IFB AFTER BID OPENING BUT PRIOR TO AWARD WAS PROPER WHERE SOLICITATION SPECIFICATIONS WERE INADEQUATE AND PROTESTER HAS NOT ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRACTING OFFICER ABUSED HIS BROAD POWERS OF DISCRETION IN CANCELING IFB. THE PROTEST IS DENIED. WAS ALLOWED TO WITHDRAW ITS BID AFTER DEMONSTRATING A MISTAKE IN THE BID. A&C'S BID WAS BASED ON LESS WORK THAN THE NAVY REQUIRED FOR A...