Protest Against Selection of Subcontractor

The protester objected to the award of a subcontract which was made after the agency rejected the prime contractor's recommendation that the protester be awarded the subcontract. The contention that the prime contractor should have allowed offerers more time to submit final prices was not sustained since the prime contractor had a reasonable basis to conclude that the time provided was sufficient. A price reduction in a subcontracting proposal offered to the Government after the agency had mailed the delivery order for the work to the prime contractor need not be considered. The protester's charge that the agency usurped the prime contractor's function was without merit because the prime contract provided for agency approval of subcontractors and the prime contractor did not complain of the agency's action. It was the unsuccessful incumbent subcontractor's responsibility to ascertain prior to submitting its proposal whether items not specified in the solicitation were required because such work had been required the previous year.