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Bid Protests
Federal government procurement contracts may be protested by bidders or other interested parties. GAO's Procurement Law Division adjudicates those bid protests.
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For more than 80 years, GAO has provided an objective, independent, and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes concerning the awards of federal contracts. Over the years, GAO’s decisions have created a uniform body of law applicable to the procurement process upon which the Congress, the courts, agencies, and the public rely. Although a party to a protest may be represented by counsel, filing a bid protest with GAO does not require the services of an attorney. In addition, bid protests filed with GAO are usually resolved faster than those filed in federal court.
The following frequently asked questions are intended for a general audience and should not be considered legal advice. Readers should be aware that many of the rules for filing and pursuing protests, as well as the substantive matters of bid protest law, are complex, and these FAQs are not intended to address all possible issues and situations.
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Reference Materials: Key information related to GAO's Bid Protest work
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Overview of GAO's Handling of Bid Protests
December 8, 2010 -
Bid Protests at GAO: A Descriptive Guide (Ninth Edition, 2009)
GAO-09-471SP, April 3, 2009 -
Guide to GAO Protective Orders
GAO-09-471SP, June 1, 2009 -
Bid Protests: Guide for Document Redactions
September 29, 2009
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Overview of GAO's Handling of Bid Protests