A firm protested the National Park Service's (NPS) rejection of its bid for carpet as nonresponsive, contending that NPS should have allowed it more time to submit a sample. GAO held that: (1) the protester untimely filed its protest after bid opening; and (2) NPS properly rejected the protester's sample, since it did not conform to the solicitation requirements. Accordingly, the protest was denie...

Protester's bid was properly rejected where bid sample did not conform to the listed specifications. Barrett's bid was rejected because its caroet sample did not conform to the IFB requirements. This brand name or equal requirement was issued after the NPS obtained a waiver from the General Services Administration to conduct an open market purchase for the carpeting. On September 10 bids were due...