Competitor's Submission of Optional Proposal for Evaluation and Amendment Shortening Contract Period

A company protested the award of a contract for computer management and operations on the basis that the agency improperly allowed the bidder to submit an optional proposal for evaluation and to revise the proposal after the closing date for the best and final offer. Evaluation of the optional proposal submitted by the successful offeror as the best and final offer did not require solicitation of optional proposals from other bidders. After the award, it became apparent that funding permitted contracting only for a shorter time; the amendment did not necessitate reopening negotiations. The contract award could not be canceled, and the protester's proposal preparation costs could not be reimbursed.