Rejection of Proposal Involving Product Qualification Clause

A company requested reconsideration of the rejection of its proposal, alleging that the product qualification clause was characterized in terms of responsiveness when it actually involved responsibility and that it was restrictive of competition. The product qualification clause related to technical acceptability, not responsibility, since the requirement involved the product rather than the capability of the offeror. The clause was not unduly restrictive since it reflected the legitimate minimum needs of the Government. Rejection of the proposal was sustained.