[Protests of Solicitations for Laboratory Services]

A firm protested two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) solicitations for laboratory services, contending that: (1) the solicitations were unduly restrictive and ambiguous; and (2) it was entitled to reimbursement for its protest costs, since its protest caused VA to correct the solicitations to enhance competition. GAO held that the solicitation amendments rendered the protests academic and did not provide a basis for awarding protest costs. Accordingly, the protests were dismissed, and the claims were denied.