Summary: Technology Research International, Inc. (TRI), a small disadvantaged business, alleged improper conduct by an Air Force prime contractor in awarding a subcontract to a TRI competitor. GAO found no evidence that the prime contractor--Lockheed Sanders, Inc.--engaged in any misconduct in using the source selection process questioned by TRI. TRI did not submit the lowest bid and was given the same chance as competitors to update its proposal in response to amendments to the proposal request. In addition, weighting factors were consistently applied to each competitor's bid proposal. GAO found that the Air Force played no role in the source selection process for this subcontract. Finally, the prime contractor was not required to and did not use an evaluation preference for small disadvantaged businesses. It was required, however, to have a small business/small disadvantaged business subcontracting plan as part of the prime contract. GAO found that such a plan was developed and incorporated into the prime contract.
