[Protest of Army RFP for Dining Facility Operations]

A firm protested an Army solicitation for dining facility operations, contending that the specifications were inadequate because: (1) they lacked sufficient clarity to permit competition on an equal basis; (2) they did not specify the amount of time of performance for the required tasks; and (3) the Army arbitrarily withheld information concerning the facility. GAO has held that: (1) the estimates in a solicitation must be based on the best information available and present a reasonably accurate representation of the agency's needs; (2) the protester must establish that the stated estimates are deficient; and (3) there is no requirement that a solicitation be so detailed as to eliminate all performance uncertainties. GAO found that: (1) the protester did not meet its burden of affirmatively proving that the solicitation lacked sufficient clarity for competition or that the Army misrepresented its estimates; and (2) the Army was not required to furnish certain information since it stated its requirements and informed offerers where to obtain the other necessary information. Accordingly, the protest was denied.