Summary

Several firms and individuals protested the Department of Labor's (DOL) rejection of their applications for a vocational rehabilitation counselor certification program, contending that DOL unreasonably evaluated their applications. GAO held that: (1) it would not consider the protests, since the DOL prequalification procedure did not constitute a procurement of goods or services; and (2) this procedure did not guarantee participation for qualified applicants, require applicants to perform any services, or obligate the government to pay for any services. Accordingly, the protests were dismissed.