Even if a proposal arrives in a government mailroom by the submittal deadline, the proposal is nevertheless “late” if it does not reach the location specified in the solicitation by the designated time.
In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO reaffirmed long-standing precedent that “receipt of a bid or proposal at a mailroom or other receiving area does not constitute receipt at the location specified in the RFP, provided the agency has established reasonable procedures to ensure that mailed bids or proposals are routed from the mailroom to the location designated in a solicitation for receipt.”
In Brian X. Scott, B-410195 (Nov. 7, 2014), the Military Sealift Command issued a request for proposals for a series of voyages to perform reapply deliveries to islands off the coast of California. The RFP stated that proposals were to be delivered to MSC offices at the Washington Navy Yard by 2:00 p.m. on July 30.
The RFP advised offerors that access to the Navy Yard was restricted. Accordingly, “Offerors, couriers, and other delivery services may encounter unpredictable and lengthy delays or denied access when attempting to enter that facility. Similarly, mailed and emailed proposals may encounter unpredictable and lengthy routing delays. In all cases, offerors are responsible for the risks associated with the chosen delivery method and for ensuring that the Government receives the complete proposal at the appropriate designated location prior to the due date and time for proposal submission.”
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