A firm protested a contract award to another firm under a solicitation issued by a Department of Energy operating contractor, contending that: (1) the solicitation contained inadequate or ambiguous specifications; (2) the awardee was not a reputable firm; and (3) the product offered by the awardee was covered by a patent and the patent holder did not license the awardee to supply the product. GAO...

PROTEST OF ALLEGED DEFICIENCIES IN A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OPERATING CONTRACTOR'S SOLICITATION IS UNTIMELY WHERE FILED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS. 2. WHETHER A BIDDER IS REPUTABLE CONCERNS THE FIRM'S RESPONSIBILITY. GAO WILL NOT REVIEW A DETERMINATION THAT A FIRM IS RESPONSIBLE EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. 3. THE PROTESTER ALSO ALLEGES THAT SEA IS NOT A REPUTABLE FIRM AND T...