B-213515: Jun 27, 1984

A firm protested a contract award to another firm under an Army solicitation, contending that the Army improperly considered the awardee's late bid. The bid was sent by certified mail, but the package did not bear the type of postmark required by the solicitation. The Army contended that it should be allowed to consider the bid because a receipt produced by the awardee bore the correct postmark. G...

B-213515: Jun 27, 1984

INADVERTENT ERROR MAY NOT BE CURED UNDER THE "CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE" SINCE THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE DOES NOT PERMIT THE INCORPORATION OF MANDATORY PROVISIONS INTO AN INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY OMITTED. IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE "POSTMARK" TO ESTABLISH THE DATE OF MAILING OF A LATE BID. POSTMARKED WHERE IFB REQUIRES A "POSTMARK" ON BOTH ENVELOPE AND ON ORIGINAL CERTIFIED MAIL...