A firm protested the award of a contract under a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Air Force for pump assemblies. The protester contended that the award was improper, because the RFP limited competition to products manufactured by a previously approved source and because the tests on which the Air Force relied in approving the awardee were inadequate. In addition, the protester contended t...

PROTEST THAT AWARDEE WHO WAS NOT LISTED AS AN "APPROVED SOURCE" WAS INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION IS DENIED. RFP PERMITTED OFFERORS TO QUALIFY BY SUBMITTING ENGINEERING DATA ESTABLISHING THAT ITEMS OFFERED WERE ACCEPTABLE. 2. WHERE FRAUD OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT IS NOT SHOWN. GAO WILL NOT CONSIDER COMPLAINT BY PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SOURCE THAT SUBSTITUTE ITEM SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED. 3. CONTENTION THAT...