A firm protested the award of a contract to the low bidder under an invitation for bids issued by the Navy for landing craft. Although the Navy found the low bidder to be nonresponsible, it was awarded the contract after receiving a Certificate of Competency (COC) from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The record showed that, in past contracts with the Navy, the awardee had failed to meet d...

GAO WILL NOT REVIEW THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) ABSENT A SHOWING OF FRAUD OR BAD FAITH ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. BAD FAITH IS NOT SHOWN MERELY BECAUSE A PARTY OTHER THAN THE SBA REASONABLY WOULD CONCLUDE. THE FACT THAT THE SECOND LOW BIDDER BELIEVES THAT IT IS MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN THE LOW RESPONSIVE. RESPONSIBLE BIDDER IS NOT R...