[Protest of Any Federal Prison Industries Contract Award for Terry Cloth Towel Blanks]

A firm protested any Federal Prison Industries contract award for terry cloth towel blanks, contending that the: (1) specifications were unduly restrictive; and (2) unavailability of the contracting officer prevented it from filing its protest before bid opening. GAO held that the protester untimely filed the protest, since: (1) it concerned alleged solicitation improprieties that were apparent prior to bid opening; and (2) the unavailability of the contracting officer did not prevent the protester from filing it before bid opening. Accordingly the protest was dismissed.