GAO Bid Protests: An Overview of Timeframes and Procedures

Kate M. Manuel
Legislative Attorney

Moshe Schwartz
Analyst in Defense Acquisition

Bid protests, especially bid protests filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), have recently received increased congressional scrutiny due to protests of high-profile awards and reports that the number of protests is increasing. The potential delay of contract award or performance triggered by a GAO protest, coupled with the increasing number of GAO protests, has also prompted concerns about the impact of protests upon agency operations, especially in the Department of Defense. 

GAO, the contracting agencies, and the Court of Federal Claims all have authority to hear bid protests; however, GAO hears more protests annually than the Court of Federal Claims, the only other forum for which data are readily available. GAO's bid-protest process includes some unique features—most notably, the stay of contract award or performance commonly triggered by a GAO protest—that make GAO a desirable forum for disappointed bidders and offerors. 

Legislation and regulations establish what issues may be protested with GAO and who may bring a protest. GAO may hear claims of alleged illegalities or improprieties in solicitations, cancellations of solicitations, or awards or proposed awards of contracts. It is, however, barred from hearing certain issues, such as challenges to small business size certifications. Any "interested party"—or actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award it—may file a protest. 

Procedures for bringing and conducting GAO protests are designed to ensure "the inexpensive and expeditious resolution of [bid] protests." Protesters need not file formal briefs or technical pleadings, can represent themselves, and can have protests decided without hearings. All protests are to be resolved within 100 calendar days of their filing, and deadlines for mandatory and optional events within the GAO bid-protest process ensure decisions can be reached within this timeframe. 

Filing a GAO protest generally triggers an automatic stay of contract award or performance during the pendency of the protest. A similar stay does not result when protests are filed with the Court of Federal Claims. Agencies can, however, override stays because urgent and compelling circumstances will not permit waiting for GAO's decision, or because performance of the contract is in the best interests of the United States. Agencies must inform GAO of their override decisions, but GAO cannot prevent an agency override. 

GAO may deny or sustain a protest. A denial allows the agency to proceed with the challenged award. When GAO sustains a protest, it also makes recommendations to the agency about the challenged award, such as re-competing the contract or issuing a new solicitation. GAO's recommendations are not legally binding upon the agency because the "separation of powers" doctrine precludes legislative branch agencies, such as GAO, from controlling the actions of executive branch agencies. However, the agency is to notify GAO if it does not fully implement GAO's recommendations. GAO is, then, to inform Congress of agency noncompliance. Agencies comply with GAO recommendations in most protests. However, compliance with GAO recommendations, or reliance on GAO precedent, does not immunize agencies from court challenges to their procurement actions. 

Protesters disappointed with GAO's decision can seek reconsideration from GAO. They can also "appeal" GAO's decision by filing a bid protest with the Court of Federal Claims.


Date of Report: March 15, 2010
Number of Pages: 25
Order Number: R40228
Price: $29.95

Document available electronically as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail congress@pennyhill.com or call us at 301-253-0881.