[Protest of Rejection of Offer Under Army Small Business Set-Aside]

A firm protested the rejection of its bid under an Army small business set-aside solicitation, contending that: (1) the Army improperly determined that the protester was not responsible; and (2) the solicitation was defective in that it did not require a performance bond. The Army rendered a negative determination of responsibility because the protester failed to provide certain information regarding its financial status. The protester argued that it failed to provide the information because the Army conducted the preaward survey by mail and did not allow sufficient time for the provision of the information. GAO held that: (1) it was proper for the Army to conduct the preaward survey by mail; (2) the negative determination of responsibility was proper; and (3) the portion of the protest alleging defective specifications was untimely filed. Accordingly, the protest was denied in part and dismissed in part.