Protest of GSA Contract Award

A firm protested the award of a General Services Administration (GSA) contract for air passenger services. The solicitation sought offers to provide the Government's requirements for air passenger services between certain selected pairs of cities and stipulated that the carrier must be a party to the GSA teleticketing agreement or would enter into the agreement within 30 days after award. The protester contended that the membership requirement exceeded actual GSA needs and alleged that the awardee was not party to the agreement. GAO stated that it will not question an agency's determination of its minimum needs unless there is a clear showing that the determination was unreasonable. Since the protester failed to submit any evidence showing the determination to be unreasonable, GAO did not question the GSA requirement. In reference to the protester's allegation concerning the awardee's compliance with the membership requirement, GSA reported that the awardee became a member of the teleticketing agreement within 30 days after contract award. Accordingly, the protest was denied.