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B-184310 1 (1975-11-28)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadcrf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 


                 L,          THE   COMPTROLLER GENERAL
DECISION                     OF   THE UNITED STATES
                             WASHINGTON. D.C. 20548




FILE:        B-184310               CATE:November  28,1975

MATTER OF:         In-Trol (International Controls)


DIGEST:

     Absent a showing of error of law or fact, original
     decision is affirmed since invitation requirements
     permitted submission of varying delivery periods
     and since open-ended delivery terms, while potentially
     contrary to sound procurement policy, were not per se
     contrary to requirements in FPR and were not misused by
     contracting officer to detriment of any bidder.

     By decision B-184310 of October 9, 1975, In-Trol (International
Controls), our Office upheld the award of a contract by the Veterans
Administration to a firm offering a delivery date of 100-120 days
after receipt of the order since only a desired delivery date of
30 days from the date of award was set forth in the invitation, and
bidders were permitted to submit varying delivery periods.

     In-Trol requests that we reconsider that decision. First, it
is contended that the delivery time requested in the invitation was
a firm, rather than a desired, time. Secondly, it is noted that the
delivery clause was contrary to the Federal Procurement Regulations
(FPR) and left room for partiality in the treatment of bidders.

     Both of these contentions were treated thoroughly in our decision
of October 9.  The paragraph in the invitation concerning delivery
requirements stated:  Delivery within 30 days from date of award,
unless otherwise specified below * * *. Inasmuch as this clearly
allows the submission of a delivery period other than 30 days, we
cannot agree that delivery within 30 days of award was a firm re-
quirement.  As regards the second basis for reconsideration, we do
not believe that the delivery requirements were per se contrary to
the cited FPR provisions. Nothing in those provisions specifically
forbids use of the requirements the contracting activity used. We
simply noted in our decision that, while the requirements were legally
sufficient, we did not feel that as a matter of policy use of such open-
ended delivery terms was wise inasmuch as they afford an opportunity
for the arbitrary inclusion or exclusion of bids. However, we found
no arbitrary use of the requirements by the contracting officer and,
consequently, had no basis for disturbing the contract as awarded.


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