Chamber Edu.

33.103 Protests to the agency.

(a) Reference. Executive Order 12979, Agency Procurement Protests, establishes policy on agency procurement protests.

(b) Prior to submission of an agency protest, all parties shall use their best efforts to resolve concerns raised by an interested party at the contracting officer level through open and frank discussions.

(c) The agency should provide for inexpensive, informal, procedurally simple, and expeditious resolution of protests. Where appropriate, the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques, third party neutrals, and another agency’s personnel are acceptable protest resolution methods.

33.104 Protests to GAO.

Procedures for protests to GAO are found at 4 CFR Part 21 (GAO Bid Protest Regulations). In the event guidance concerning GAO procedure in this section conflicts with 4 CFR Part 21, 4 CFR Part 21 governs.

(a) General procedure.

(1) A protester is required to furnish a copy of its complete protest to the official and location designated in the solicitation or, in the absence of such a designation, to the contracting officer, so it is received no later than 1 day after the protest is filed with the GAO. The GAO may dismiss the protest if the protester fails to furnish a complete copy of the protest within 1 day.

    Protest Workshop

• Overview of the Bid Protest Process    
•  Filing a Protest     
•  After a Protest Is Filed   
•  Ex Partee Communications    
• Hearings    
• Decision Timetable           
•  Express Option   
•  Flexible Alternative Procedures and Alternative Dispute Resolution    
• Status and Other Informal Conferences    
• Protest Disposition 
• Distribution of GAO Decisions    
• Judicial Proceedings    
• Requests for Reconsideration   

Appendix I:   

• Sample Acknowledgment of  a Protest and Confirmation of Report Requirement (Protester  Without Counsel)

Appendix II:  

• Sample Acknowledgment of  a Protest, Confirmation of Report Requirement, and Notice of Protective Order (Protester With Counsel)

 Appendix III: 

• Sample Notice of Protective Order  

Appendix IV: 

• Sample Protective Order   

Appendix V: 

•  Sample Application for Access to  Material Under a Protective Order for Outside Counsel