Bid Protests in Federal Procurement

<h2>Bid Protest Overview</h2><p>A bid protest is a challenge to the award or proposed award of a federal contract. Disappointed bidders can protest at three forums: the contracting agency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC).</p><h2>GAO Protests</h2><ul><li>Must be filed within 10 days of learning the basis for protest (or within 10 days of contract award for certain grounds)</li><li>GAO issues a decision within 100 days</li><li>Automatic stay of contract performance (CICA stay)</li><li>Non-binding recommendations</li></ul><h2>Court of Federal Claims</h2><ul><li>No automatic stay — must seek preliminary injunction</li><li>Binding decisions with full judicial remedies</li><li>De novo review of the administrative record</li><li>Appeal to the Federal Circuit</li></ul>