A firm protested an Army solicitation for ballistics targets as a small business set-aside, contending that: (1) a small business would not be capable of performing the contract; (2) the contracting officer abused his discretion when he decided to set aside the procurement; and (3) the Army should have conducted the procurement using negotiated rather than sealed bid procedures. GAO held that: (1)...

LARGE BUSINESS IS AN INTERESTED PARTY TO PROTEST THE AGENCY'S DECISION TO SET ASIDE A PROCUREMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WILL NOT OBJECT TO AGENCY'S DECISION TO SET ASIDE PROCUREMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS WHERE THE RECORD INDICATES THE CONTRACTING OFFICER HAD A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT OFFERS WOULD BE OBTAINED FROM AT LEAST TWO SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND T...