Summary

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE CONCLUDES THAT RATIONALE IS SOUND NOTWITHSTANDING ALLEGATIONS THAT PAST EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC NATURE OF PROTESTER IDEALLY SUITED IT TO DO STUDY IN QUESTION. SINCE DECISION MERELY APPLIED COMMON SENSE PRINCIPLE THAT IF TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE ESSENTIALLY EQUAL. THE ONLY REMAINING CONSIDERATION FOR SELECTION OF CONTRACTOR IS COST. CONTRACTS - NEGOTIATION - OFFERS OR PROPOSALS - DEFICIENT PROPOSALS - CONTRADICTING EVIDENCE NOT SUBMITTED SINCE CONTRACTING OFFICER INSISTS THAT PROTESTER "WAS ADVISED THAT THEIR PROPOSAL WAS TOP HEAVY (TOO MANY PH.D'S). ADEQUATE DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH COMPANY CONCERNING ALLEGED DEFICIENCIES. THE MAIN POINT OF OCEAN STUDIES' PROTEST IS THAT THE MERIT CONTAINED IN ITS FIRST-RANKED PROPOSAL WAS IMPROPERLY DISREGARDED IN FAVOR OF A LOWER-SCORED.