[Protest of MSC Contract Award for Steel Dry Cargo Freight Containers]

A firm protested a Navy contract award for steel dry cargo containers, contending that: (1) the Navy improperly interpreted and applied the solicitation's U.S.-flag preference clause in evaluating offers to exclude it from award; and (2) the awardee violated the clause by transporting the items in foreign-flag vessels. GAO held that the protester's contention that: (1) the award was improper had no basis since the clause had no direct bearing upon the evaluation; and (2) the awardee failed to comply with the solicitation's requirements was a matter of contract administration, which it would not consider. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.