[Protest of NAVSEA Contract Award for Batteries and Battery Cells]

A firm protested a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) contract award for batteries and battery cells, contending that the awardee: (1) was ineligible for award because it was not a qualified source; and (2) did not comply with first article testing requirements for items in previous procurements. GAO held that: (1) the awardee was not required to submit a preapproved item in order to be eligible for award; (2) the protest of alleged solicitation improprieties should have been filed prior to bid opening; and (3) NAVSEA properly made award on the basis of the lowest aggregate cost to the government. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.