Protest Against Award Under Section 8(a) of Small Business Act

A company protested the award of a contract and subcontract, contending that the award was improperly set aside under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) Program and that the agency was paying an excessive price. The protester also questioned the subcontractor's status as a minority firm. Award of the contract was proper since there is no limitation on the size of a contract that can be awarded to the SBA under the 8(a) Program. The contract price was based on cost estimates prepared by the agency's technical personnel and was not unreasonable despite the protester's unsolicited submission of a lower bid. If SBA determines that a firm is owned or controlled by disadvantaged persons, its eligibility for an 8(a) award will not be questioned.