Strict Aircraft Maintenance Program Not Unduly Restrictive of Competition But Based on Agency’s Unique Safety Concerns; GAO B-414566, Coulson Aviation (USA) Inc.

Protest challenging the terms of a solicitation as unduly restrictive of competition is denied, where the agency’s requirement for a more stringent equipment maintenance program for aircraft intended for firefighting missions was reasonable and supported by the agency’s safety requirements, and where the protestor was not prejudiced by the agency’s decision to conduct a competitive procurement rather than procure its unsatisfactory system under commercial item procedures.