A firm protested certain allegedly restrictive specifications under a Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC) solicitation for a drug test system, contending that its offered product was the functional equal of that described but was prohibited under the brand name or equal solicitation. GAO held that the protest was untimely filed because the protester's initial protest to DPSC was not filed befo...

CONTRACTS - PROTESTS - GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE PROCEDURES - TIMELINESS OF PROTEST - SOLICITATION IMPROPRIETIES - APPARENT PRIOR TO BID OPENING/CLOSING DATE FOR PROPOSALS DIGEST: PROTEST CONCERNING BRAND NAME OR EQUAL PROCUREMENT IS DISMISSED AS UNTIMELY WHERE PROTESTER INITIALLY FILED PROTEST AGAINST SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT (A LISTED SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC) WITH CONTRACTING AGENCY AFTER THE IN...