Government Contracts

6 Ways a Construction Attorney Can Assist You With a Bid Protest Part 1

Although contractors need to comply with all legal requirements during the bid procurement process, in some cases, the government agency awarding the contract fails to comply with these standards. When this transpires, the contractor has the right to file a bid protest. In this four-part article, a Charlotte construction attorney will discuss submitting a bid protest. If you are interested in learning more about bid protests, contact a Charlotte construction law firm that is experienced in providing this legal service.  

Understanding the Basics of Bid Protests

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) defines a bid protest as “a challenge to the award or proposed award of a contract for the procurement of goods and services or a challenge to the terms of a solicitation for such a contract.” In order to qualify, you must be an “interested party,” meaning that you submitted a competitive bid but were not awarded the contract.  

1: What’s the Deadline?

A knowledgeable attorney understands the short, strict deadlines that exist when you want to challenge a bid. For example, when protesting a bid through the GAO, the protest must be submitted within 10 days of the time the bid challenger became aware of the basis for protest. The same short window applies for protests filed after a debriefing. When a bid protest is filed, the government agency will typically suspend the work scheduled to be performed by the entity that was awarded the contract.

The deadline to file a protest is strictly enforced by government agencies. If you fail to meet the deadline, regardless of your claim, you simply miss out on your opportunity to challenge the awarded contract. Fortunately, a Charlotte construction attorney is aware of the time-sensitive nature of bid protest submissions and is aware of the process necessary to successfully challenge a bid on your behalf.

For more information on bid protests, please read sections two, three, and four.

If you would like to speak with a Charlotte construction 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.