Protest Alleging IFB Gives Manufacturers Unfair Competitive Advantage

A firm protested the Veterans Administration's invitation for bids (IFB) for printing services. The protester contended that the IFB permitted manufacturers of the required materials for the contract to compete with distributors of the same materials. Thus, the manufacturers had an unfair competitive advantage over distributors, because distributors must purchase the same materials at a considerable markup. GAO held that there was no statute or other authority which would permit the exclusion of manufacturers from a procurement merely because they might enjoy a competitive advantage over distributors of the same products. Moreover, the Government was not required to equalize competition by taking into consideration those types of competitive advantages which may accrue to firms by reason of their own particular circumstances. Accordingly, the protest was summarily denied.