[Protest of DLA Contract Award for Marine Fenders]

A firm protested a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract award for marine fenders, contending that DLA improperly rejected its offer of a lower-priced equivalent item. GAO held that the protest was academic, since DLA: (1) issued a solicitation amendment that replaced brand-name specifications with technical specifications; (2) gave the protester and other bidders an opportunity to compete for the requirement; and (3) suspended the contract pending evaluation of bids. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.