Construction Bid Protest Process: Complete Guide to Filing and Defending Protests 2025

Bid Protest Overview

Bid Protest Statistics

Success Rate:

22%

GAO sustain rate

Resolution Time:

100 days

GAO decision timeline

Effectiveness Rate:

44%

Some form of relief

Protest Forums

Agency Level

• Fastest resolution (15-35 days)
• Lower cost
• Informal process
• No automatic stay

GAO

• 100-day decision
• Automatic stay (CICA)
• Published decisions
• Most common forum

Court of Federal Claims

• No time limit
• Discovery available
• Higher costs
• Judicial review

Grounds for Protest

Common Protest Grounds

1. Improper Evaluation

• Failure to follow evaluation criteria
• Mathematical errors
• Unequal treatment
• Undocumented trade-offs

2. Defective Specifications

• Ambiguous requirements
• Restrictive specifications
• Impossible requirements
• Brand name without "or equal"

3. Procurement Violations

• Organizational conflict of interest
• Improper sole source
• Bad faith negotiations
• Violation of procurement regulations

Filing Process

Step-by-Step Filing Guide

Identify Grounds

Document specific violations with evidence

Request Debriefing

Within 3 days of notice (5 days for written)

File Protest

Within 10 days of basis knowledge

Agency Report

Response within 30 days

Comments & Decision

10 days for comments, decision by day 100

Critical Timelines

Time-Sensitive Deadlines

Pre-award: 10 days after bid opening
Post-award: 10 days after award notice
Debriefing: 10 days after debriefing
Agency decision: 35 days typical
GAO decision: 100 calendar days
COFC: No statutory deadline

Winning Strategies

For Protesters

Act quickly - time limits are jurisdictional
Request comprehensive debriefing
Provide specific factual allegations
Show competitive prejudice
Consider requesting documents early

For Defenders

Document evaluation thoroughly
Ensure consensus among evaluators
Address all proposal aspects
Maintain procurement integrity
Consider corrective action if warranted