[Claim for Proposal Preparation Costs]

A firm submitted a claim for proposal preparation costs in connection with its participation in a procurement under a request for proposals issued by the Army. The claimant alleged that the Army improperly excluded it from the competitive range which resulted in the exclusion of the claimant from negotiations. After an exchange of correspondence, the contracting officer denied the claim, but the claimant did not file its claim with GAO within 10 days of the adverse agency action as required by bid protest procedures. GAO held that a claim for proposal preparation costs based on matters not timely protested will not be considered. Accordingly, the protest was dismissed.