[Protest of Air Force Contract Award for Flight Simulator Instructors]

A firm protested an Air Force contract award for flight simulator instructors, contending that the Air Force: (1) improperly downgraded its bid; (2) failed to address its bid's deficiencies during discussions; and (3) improperly awarded the contract to a higher bidder. GAO held that the Air Force: (1) reasonably determined and clearly advised the protester that its proposed manning level was deficient; (2) was not required to disclose its minimum manning estimates to bidders; and (3) reasonably determined that the awardee's technically superior bid outweighed the cost advantage of the protester's marginal bid. Accordingly, the protest was denied.