[Protest of Navy Solicitation for Mess Attendant Services]

A firm protested a Navy solicitation for mess attendant services, contending that the Navy's requirement that the contractor lodge its employees at a privately operated facility: (1) subjected bidders to undue costs and risks for liability insurance, lodging rate fluctuations, and lodging deposits; and (2) allowed the facility operator a competitive advantage. GAO held that the: (1) Navy planned to pay for the employee lodging costs; (2) liability insurance and room deposit costs did not present any undue risk to bidders; and (3) protester failed to show how the requirement allowed the facility operator a competitive advantage. Accordingly, the protest was denied.