
Let's Get Surety
#129 GAO Bid Protests: Navigating the Current Trends and Developments
Jan 28, 2025
Sarah Carpenter, a Partner at Smith Currie Oles specializing in government contracts and construction law, brings her expertise to the discussion on bid protests at the GAO. She highlights key trends from the GAO's report to Congress, noting a remarkable effectiveness rate of over 50%. The conversation covers the strategic advantages of filing with the GAO versus other courts, the importance of legal representation, and insights on common bid protest categories. Tune in for valuable takeaways on navigating the complexities of federal procurement.
27:34
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding the GAO bid protest process is essential for contractors, highlighting the effectiveness rate and trends from recent reports to navigate federal procurement successfully.
- The differences between GAO and Court of Federal Claims procedures are crucial for clients, affecting their strategic decisions regarding where and how to file protests efficiently.
Deep dives
Understanding Bid Protests
A bid protest is a challenge to a federal agency's procurement process, which can occur either before a contract award or afterward. Pre-award protests typically focus on the terms of the solicitation, such as ambiguous past performance requirements, while post-award protests examine how agencies follow procurement regulations in awarding contracts. Contractors might protest if they believe that the agency did not adhere to proper procedures, which can lead to a reevaluation of bids or clarifications to solicitation terms. Knowing the grounds for protests is essential for contractors seeking to navigate the complexities of federal procurement effectively.
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