A firm protested a General Services Administration (GSA) solicitation for pliers, contending that GSA improperly: (1) used competitive negotiations rather than sealed bids; and (2) set aside only 5 of the 32 line items exclusively for small businesses. GAO held that the solicitation did not prejudice the protester, since: (1) GSA obtained full and open competition; and (2) all the bidders GSA cons...

PROCUREMENT - Competitive Negotiation - Use - Criteria DIGEST: Protest of agency's use of competitive negotiation rather than sealed bidding is denied where the agency obtained full and open competition under the solicitation and the protester has not shown that it was prejudiced. The contracts were to meet the needs of federal agencies using GSA as a supply source for the period December 1. Items...