[Protests of Air Force Cancellation of Solicitation for C-130 Programmed Depot-Level Maintenance]

Two firms protested the Air Force's cancellation of a solicitation for C-130 programmed depot-level maintenance, contending that the Air Force: (1) improperly cancelled the solicitation in order to perform the work in-house; (2) improperly evaluated the in-house cost for service; (3) failed to conduct a full and open competition; (4) conducted improper discussions with the in-house awardees; and (5) improperly evaluated their proposals. GAO held that the Air Force: (1) had a reasonable basis for cancelling the solicitation, since it was more cost-effective to perform the work in-house; and (2) reasonably evaluated the in-house cost for service by the awardees. Accordingly, the protests were denied.