Protest Against Agency Decision Not To Cancel Invitation for Bids

Century Metal Parts Corporation protested the refusal by the Army to cancel a solicitation that failed to specify which of four mast sections in the drawing accompanying the proposal were being purchased. The protester contended that the specifications were ambiguous and inhibited competition. GAO noted that the alleged improprieties in the invitation for bids (IFB) were readily apparent from an examination of the IFB before bid opening. The protest was filed within 10 days after the firm's receipt of the Army's letter declining to cancel the IFB, but the protest was untimely because it was not filed 10 days prior to bid opening as required by regulation. Since the protest was untimely, the protester's request for a conference on the merits of the protest was denied.