The Navy erred in its belief that further exchanges with offerer concerning its subcontracting plan would constitute discussions

The Navy erred in its belief that further exchanges with MANCON concerning its subcontracting plan would constitute discussions. We have found that where acceptability of a small business subcontracting plan is a responsibility issue, exchanges between the agency and an offeror concerning such plans are not discussions. General Dynamics-Ordnance & Tactical Sys., supra. To the extent that the contracting officer believed the agency needed additional assurances from MANCON, these communications would not have constituted discussions requiring the reopening of discussions with all offerors.