[Protests of Any FmHA Contract Awards Under Solicitations for Farm Appraisal Service]

An individual protested any Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) contract award under four solicitations for farm appraisal services, contending that FmHA: (1) improperly downgraded his bid; (2) improperly denied him the opportunity to submit a bid with his partner; and (3) should have awarded him the contracts, since he submitted the low bid. GAO held that FmHA: (1) properly downgraded the protester's bid based on his performance under previous contracts; (2) allowed bidders to submit bids individually or as business enterprises; and (3) specifically reserved the right to award the contracts to other than the low bidder. Accordingly, the protests were denied.