[Protest of Geological Survey Rejection of Bid]

A firm protested the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) rejection of its bid for a side-looking airborne radar program, contending that USGS improperly determined that it was nonresponsible. GAO held that the: (1) solicitation required compliance with specific aviation regulations; and (2) licensing authority advised USGS that the protester would not be able to qualify in time for performance. Accordingly, the protest was denied.