[Protest of Army and Air Force Contract Awards To Upgrade Fire Alarm Systems]

A firm protested Army and Air Force contract awards to another firm for fire alarm systems upgrades, contending that the awardee engaged in collusive bidding with an affiliate, since the awardee's surety was in the same location as the affiliate. GAO would not consider the protest, since: (1) it was a matter of bidder responsibility for the Army to determine; and (2) the Army should have referred the matter to the Department of Justice if there was evidence of collusive bidding. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.