Government Contracts

What Is the Deadline to Protest a Bid? featured image

What Is the Deadline to Protest a Bid?

Not all bids are awarded equally. Unfortunately, bias can find its way into the bidding process for a government contract, forcing a construction firm to a protest a bid. There is a very quick turnaround from when the basis for the protest has become known to when the bid must be submitted. It is crucial for a construction firm to know their options during this brief window. Below, a Charlotte bid protest lawyer at Cotney Construction law will go over the deadlines for filing a bid protest.

Deadlines

The aforementioned deadlines vary depending on the level at which you submit your bid protest. This deadline is 10 days after the date that you learned your bid was unsuccessful. However, if a debriefing meeting is requested, this 10 day period can begin at the date of that meeting. Once you become aware of the cause, it is imperative that you submit your bid protest to the contracting agency or the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

If you first submitted at the agency level, you will have 10 days from the date of the rejection to submit it to the GAO. Please be aware, you can still protest a bid after the government contract has been awarded, as long as it is within the aforementioned 10 day threshold.

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

If the above-mentioned deadline is not met, you may still file a bid protest with the Court of Federal Claims (COFC). This is the costliest route, but it is also the most popular and successful route to take. Submitting a bid protest at the agency and GAO levels will result in an automatic stay of performance; however, filing with the COFC will not. In such cases, you can have an attorney file a preliminary injunction against the agency.

Given the strict nature of these deadlines, it is imperative that you reach out to a Charlotte bid protest attorney to begin the process of submitting a bid protest.

If you would like to speak with a Charlotte bid protest lawyer, please contact us today.

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.