DIGEST: PROTESTER FAILS TO CARRY HIS BURDEN OF PROVING THAT CONTRACTING OFFICIALS ACTED WITHOUT A REASONABLE BASIS OR IN BAD FAITH IN REQUIRING PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS WHERE THE RECORD REVEALS THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICIALS DETERMINED IN GOOD FAITH THAT THE BONDS WERE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST IN THE CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY OF VALUABLE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY WHICH WILL BE PRO...

A firm protested a requirement for performance and payment bonds in an invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the Navy for the operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment. The protester contended that the bond requirement was being used as a substitute for a determination of contractor responsibility in violation of a Defense Acquisition Regulation (DAR). The protester also argued that the bo...