B-210873: Jun 9, 1983

A firm protested a Defense Logistics Agency specification under an invitation for bids for diesel loaders. The protester contended that the agency's relaxation of a Federal specification resulted in an unfair competitive advantage to a competitor who could bid a smaller loader at less cost than other manufacturers. GAO has held that firms may enjoy a competitive advantage by virtue of their own pa...

B-210873: Jun 9, 1983

COSTS MUCH LESS THAN THE LOADER OTHER MANUFACTURERS WILL HAVE TO BID. WITH A LESS EXPENSIVE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS RESPONSIVE TO THE SPECIFICATIONS AND. RECOGNIZING THAT FIRMS MAY ENJOY A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO EQUALIZE THE ADVANTAGE. SUBMITTED THE LOW RESPONSIVE BID IN RESPONSE TO THIS IFB AND THAT C...