§ 3533.103 - Protests to the agency.

(a) The cognizant Head of the Contracting Activity is the official designated to make the determination(s) required by FAR 33.103(a)(1), (2), or (3) whenever an award is contemplated notwithstanding the protest to the agency.

(c)(1) Protests to the Commission based upon alleged improprieties in a solicitation which are apparent prior to bid opening or the closing date for receipt of initial proposals shall be filed with the contracting officer prior to bid opening or the closing date for receipt of initial proposals, or any extended bid opening or closing date for receipt of proposals.

(2) All other protests to the Commission shall be filed with the contracting officer not later than 10 working days after the basis of the protest is known or should have been known.

(d) The General Counsel shall review protests to the Commission as a matter of first priority, and advise the contracting officer expeditiously.

(e) The contracting officer shall decide protests to the Commission within 10 working days from receipt of a protest and promptly inform the protestor and other interested parties of that decision.