[Protest of Army Decision To Set Aside Contract Under 8(a) Program]

A firm protested the Army's decision to set aside a contract for the supply of water purification units under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) program and the proposed award to a firm which had held the prior contract. The protester alleged that it had been advised that future procurements of such units would be on a competitive basis and that the proposed awardee was not owned and operated by a disadvantaged person. GAO does not review decisions to effect procurements under the 8(a) program or consider allegations of ineligibilty for the program because that is a matter for SBA determination. GAO found that no such showing was made in this case. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.