Bid Guarantee Requirement

The protester objected to the award of a contract to John B. Glader, the high bidder, because his bid was accompanied by a personal check rather than a certified check, cashier's check, or postal money order, as specified in the invitation for bids. The bid guarantee requirement was a material part of the invitation which could not be waived and the submission of a personal check rendered the bid nonresponsive. Rescission of the sale, however, was not practical because the Government had accepted payment, conveyed the property to the purchaser, and authorized the removal of the property.