Page 15 - CONTRACT POLICY MANUAL

SECTION 1.3

PROTEST

§1.3-101 Policy

(1) Any actual or prospective bidder, proposer or contractor who alleges an error or impropriety in the
solicitation or award of a contract may submit a grievance or protest to the appropriate department
Deputy Purchasing Agent.

§1.3-102 Procedure

(1) All protests shall be typed under the protester’s letterhead and submitted in accordance with the
provisions stated herein. All protests shall include at a minimum the following information:
a) The name, address and telephone number of the protester;
b) The signature of the protester or the protester’s representative;
c) The solicitation or contract number;

d) A detailed statement of the legal and/or factual grounds for the protest; and
e) The form of relief requested.

§1.3-103 Protest of Bid/Proposal Specifications

(1) All protests related to bid or proposal specifications must be submitted to the Deputy Purchasing
Agent no later than five (5) business days prior to the close of the bid or proposal. Protests received
after the five (5) business day deadline will not be considered by the County.

a) In the event the protest of specifications is denied and the protester wishes to continue in
the solicitation process, they must still submit a bid prior to the close of the solicitation in
accordance with the bid/proposal submittal procedures provided in the bid/proposal.

§1.3-104 Protest of Award of Contract – Invitation for Bid (IFB)

(1) In accordance with Section 4.2 of this manual, protests related to the award of a contract based on
the Invitation for Bid (IFB) process, a protest must be submitted no later than five (5) business days
after the notice of the proposed contract award is provided by the Deputy Purchasing Agent.

a) Protests relating to a proposed contract award which are received after the five (5) business
day deadline will not be considered by the County.
b) If the five (5) business day period expires without the lodging of a protest the department
may move forward with the contract award or if necessary, file the item for approval by
the Board of Supervisors.

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