B-224307: Nov 12, 1986

A firm protested a Veterans Administration (VA) solicitation for fire protection services, contending that: (1) the VA bonding requirements restricted competition and increased contractor costs to ensure that VA could retain the services in-house; and (2) a preaward survey would have adequately protected the government's interest. GAO held that VA properly required a performance bond since: (1) th...

B-224307: Nov 12, 1986

PROTEST ALLEGING THAT REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE AND BID BONDS IN A SOLICITATION FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES UNDULY RESTRICT COMPETITION IS WITHOUT MERIT. THE SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL AND THE CONTRACTOR WILL HAVE THE USE OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED PROPERTY. A BID BOND REQUIREMENT IS VALID WHERE A PERFORMANCE BOND ALSO IS REQUIRED. FACT THAT A PREAWARD SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED DOES NOT IN ITSELF ESTABLIS...