B-212039: Aug 15, 1983

A firm protested the rejection of its bid, submitted in response to a Department of State solicitation for shuttle bus service, as nonresponsive for failure to acknowledge an amendment. The protester contended that it had acknowledged the amendment, and it submitted to GAO a copy of the mailgram which it sent to State as an acknowledgment. GAO stated that, generally, failure to acknowledge a mater...

B-212039: Aug 15, 1983

THE FACT THAT THE BIDDER SENT THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS NOT RELEVANT AS THE BIDDER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE THAT THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT ARRIVES ON TIME AT THE AGENCY. THE BID WAS VIEWED AS NONRESPONSIVE BECAUSE THE AGENCY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE BIDDER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE AMENDMENT. THE BASIS FOR THIS RULE IS THAT ACCEPTANCE OF A BID WHICH DISREGARDS A MATERIAL PROVISION OF AN INVITATION. THE AME...