[Protest of NCUA Contract Award for Audit Services]

A firm protested five National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) contract awards for audit services, contending that NCUA: (1) failed to consider price in determining the competitive range and in making award; (2) improperly evaluated bids; and (3) should have rejected an awardee's bid. GAO held that: (1) NCUA improperly made awards based on initial proposals to other than the lowest cost, technically acceptable bidder; and (2) it was unnecessary to address the protester's other contentions, since it had already sustained one of the protester's bases for protest. Accordingly, the protest was sustained, and GAO recommended that NCUA: (1) resolicit the requirements and terminate the contract if appropriate; and (2) reimburse the protester for its bid and protest preparation costs.