[Request for Reconsideration of Protests Against VA Contract Awards]

Two firms requested reconsideration of their protests against Veterans Affairs (VA) contract awards. GAO had held that VA improperly: (1) used flawed criteria; (2) evaluated bids; and (3) awarded the contract to the protesters. In its request for reconsideration, the protesters contended that: (1) the prior decision improperly recommended VA to downgrade their bids, since they complied with the solicitation requirement for hospital visits; (2) VA improperly evaluated bids; and (3) the initial protester was not prejudiced by improper bid evaluation. GAO held that: (1) there was no basis for reconsideration of the protest regarding downgrading, since the decision recommended that VA reevaluate bids in accordance with solicitation requirements; (2) the protesters' mere disagreement with the prior decision did not warrant reconsideration; and (3) the initial protester's standing would improve under the new evaluation. Accordingly, the requests for reconsideration were denied.