§ 3551. Definitions

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1984

   Competition in Contracting Act of 1984

   Pub. L. 98–369 div. B title VII § 2741(a) · 98 Stat. 494

   Enacted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551

   Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, § 2741(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1199

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, § 2741(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1199

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Chapter 35 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subchapter: “SUBCHAPTER V— PROCUREMENT PROTEST SYSTEM “§ 3551. Definitions “In this subchapter— “(1) ‘protest’ means a written objection by an interested party to a solicitation by an executive agency for bids or proposals for a proposed contract for the procurement of property or services or a written objection by an interested party to a proposed award or the award of such a contract; “(2) ‘interested party’, with respect to a contract or proposed contract described in paragraph (1), means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award the contract; and “(3) ‘Federal agency’ has the meaning given such term by section 3 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 472). “§ 3552. Protests by interested parties concerning procurement actions “A protest concerning an alleged violation of a procurement statute or regulation shall be decided by the Comptroller General if filed in accordance with this subchapter. An interested party who has filed a protest under section 111(h) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 759(h)) with respect to a procurement or proposed procurement may not file a protest with respect to Ante, p. 1182. that procurement under this subchapter. “§3553. Review of protests; effect on contracts pending decision “(a) Under procedures prescribed under section 3555 of this title, the Comptroller General shall decide a protest submitted to the Comptroller General by an interested party. “(b) (1) Within one working day of the receipt of a protest, the Comptroller General shall notify the Federal agency involved of the protest. “(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a Federal agency receiving a notice of a protested procurement under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall submit to the Comptroller General a complete report (including all relevant documents) on the protested procurement— “(A) within 25 working days from the date of the agency’s receipt of that notice; “(B) if the Comptroller General, upon a showing by the Federal agency, determines (and states the reasons in writing) that the specific circumstances of the protest require a longer period, within the longer period determined by the Comptroller General; or “(C) in a case determined by the Comptroller General to be suitable for the express option under section 3554(a)(2) of this title, within 10 working days from the date of the Federal agency’s receipt of that determination. “(3) A Federal agency need not submit a report to the Comptroller General pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection if the agency is sooner notified by the Comptroller General that the protest concerned has been dismissed under section 3554(a)(3) of this title. “(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contract may not be awarded in any procurement after the Federal agency has received notice of a protest with respect to such procurement from the Comptroller General and while the protest is pending. “(2) The head of the procuring activity responsible for award of a contract may authorize the award of the contract (notwithstanding a protest of which the Federal agency has notice under this section)— “(A) upon a written finding that urgent and compelling circumstances which significantly affect interests of the United States will not permit waiting for the decision of the Comptroller General under this subchapter; and “(B) after the Comptroller General is advised of that finding. “(3) A finding may not be made under paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection unless the award of the contract is otherwise likely to occur within 30 days thereafter. “(d) (1) If a Federal agency receives notice of a protest under this section after the contract has been awarded but within 10 days of the date of the contract award, the Federal agency (E)(cept as provided under paragraph (2)) shall, upon receipt of that notice, immediately direct the contractor to cease performance under the contract and to suspend any related activities that may result in additional obligations being incurred by the United States under that contract. Performance of the contract may not be resumed while the protest is pending. “(2) The head of the procuring activity responsible for award of a contract may authorize the performance of the contract (notwithstanding a protest of which the Federal agency has notice under this section)— “(A) upon a written finding— “(i) that performance of the contract is in the best interests of the United States; or “(ii) that urgent and compelling circumstances that significantly affect interests of the United States will not permit waiting for the decision of the Comptroller General concerning the protest; and “(B) after the Comptroller General is notified of that finding. “(e) The authority of the head of the procuring activity to make findings and to authorize the award and performance of contracts under subsections (c) and (d) of this section may not be delegated. “(f) Within such deadlines as the Comptroller General prescribes, upon request each Federal agency shall provide to an interested party any document relevant to a protested procurement action (including the report required by subsection (b)(2) of this section) that would not give that party a competitive advantage and that the party is otherwise authorized by law to receive. “§ 3554. Decisions on protests “(a) (1) To the maximum extent practicable, the Comptroller General shall provide for the inexpensive and expeditious resolution of protests under this subchapter. Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Comptroller General shall issue a final decision concerning a protest within 90 working days from the date the protest is submitted to the Comptroller General unless the Comptroller General determines and states in writing the reasons that the specific circumstances of the protest require a longer period. “(2) The Comptroller General shall, by regulation prescribed pursuant to section 3555 of this title, establish an express option for Post, p. 1202. deciding those protests which the Comptroller General determines suitable for resolution within 45 calendar days from the date the protest is submitted. “(3) The Comptroller General may dismiss a protest that the Comptroller General determines is frivolous or which, on its face, does not state a valid basis for protest. “(b) (1) With respect to a solicitation for a contract, or a proposed award or the award of a contract, protested under this subchapter, the Comptroller General may determine whether the solicitation, proposed award, or award complies with statute and regulation. If the Comptroller General determines that the solicitation, proposed award, or award does not comply with a statute or regulation, the Comptroller General shall recommend that the Federal agency— “(A) refrain from exercising any of its options under the contract; “(B) recompete the contract immediately; “(C) issue a new solicitation; “(D) terminate the contract; “(E) award a contract consistent with the requirements of such statute and regulation; “(F) implement any combination of recommendations under clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E); or “(G) implement such other recommendations as the Comptroller General determines to be necessary in order to promote compliance with procurement statutes and regulations. “(2) If the head of the procuring activity responsible for a contract makes a finding under section 3553(d)(2)(A)(i) of this title, the Comp- Ante, p. 1200. troller General shall make recommendations under this subsection without regard to any cost or disruption from terminating, recompeting, or reawarding the contract. “(c) (1) If the Comptroller General determines that a solicitation for a contract or a proposed award cr the award of a contract does not comply with a statute or regulation, the Comptroller General may declare an appropriate interested party to be entitled to the costs of— “(A) filing and pursuing the protest, including reasonable attorneys’ fees; and “(B) bid and proposal preparation. “(2) Monetary awards to which a party is declared to be entitled under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be paid promptly by the Federal agency concerned out of funds available to or for the use of the Federal agency for the procurement of property and services. “(d) Each decision of the Comptroller General under this subchapter shall be signed by the Comptroller General or a designee for that purpose. A copy of the decision shall be made available to the interested parties, the head of the procuring activity responsible for the solicitation, proposed award, or award of the contract, and the senior procurement executive of the Federal agency involved. “(e) (1) The head of the procuring activity responsible for the solicitation, proposed award, or award of the contract shall report to the Comptroller General, if the Federal agency has not fully implemented those recommendations within 60 days of receipt of the Comptroller General’s recommendations under subsection (b) of this section. “(2) Not later than January 31 of each year, the Comptroller General shall transmit to Congress a report describing each instance in which a Federal agency did not fully implement the Comptroller General’s recommendations during the preceding fiscal year. “§ 3555. Regulations; authority of Comptroller General to verify assertions “(a) Not later than January 15, 1985, the Comptroller General shall prescribe such procedures as may be necessary to the expeditious decision of protests under this subchapter, including procedures for accelerated resolution of protests under the express option Ante, p. 1201. authorized by section 3554(a)(2) of this title. Such procedures shall provide that the protest process may not be delayed by the failure of a party to make a filing within the time provided for the filing. “(b) The Comptroller General may use any authority available 31 USC 701 et seq. under chapter 7 of this title and this chapter to verify assertions made by parties in protests under this subchapter. “§ 3556. Nonexclusivity of remedies; matters included in agency record “This subchapter does not give the Comptroller General exclusive jurisdiction over protests, and nothing contained in this subchapter shall affect the right of any interested party to file a protest with the contracting agency or to file an action in a district court of the United States or the United States Claims Court. In any such action based on a procurement or proposed procurement with respect to which a protest has been filed under this subchapter, the reports Ante, p. 1200. required by sections 3553(b)(2) and 3554(e)(1) of this title with respect to such procurement or proposed procurement and any decision or recommendation of the Comptroller General under this subchapter with respect to such procurement or proposed procurement shall be considered to be part of the agency record subject to review.”.

2. 1985

   Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986

   Pub. L. 99–145 title XIII § 1304(d) · 99 Stat. 583

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(1)

   Pub. L. 99–145 substituted “Federal agency” for “executive agency”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (1). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted “Federal agency” for “executive agency”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (d) Military and Civilian Procurement.— Section 3551(1) of title 98 Stat. 1199. 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out “executive agency” and inserting in lieu thereof “Federal agency”.

3. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–272 § 4(f)(1)(K) · 108 Stat. 745

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(1)

   Pub. L. 103–272 substituted “a Federal” for “an Federal”

   Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 103–272 substituted “a Federal” for “an Federal”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (K) In section 3551(1), strike “an Federal” and substitute “a Federal”.

4. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–355 § 1401(a) · 108 Stat. 3243

   Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(1)

   Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “ ‘protest’ means a written objection by an interested party to a solicitation by a Federal agency for bids or proposals for a proposed contract for the procurement of property or services or a written objection by an interested party to a proposed award or the award of such a contract;”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (1). Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “ ‘protest’ means a written objection by an interested party to a solicitation by a Federal agency for bids or proposals for a proposed contract for the procurement of property or services or a written objection by an interested party to a proposed award or the award of such a contract;”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) In General.— Paragraph (1) of section 3551 of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(1) The term ‘protest’ means a written objection by an interested party to any of the following: “(A) A solicitation or other request by a Federal agency for offers for a contract for the procurement of property or services. “(B) The cancellation of such a solicitation or other request. “(C) An award or proposed award of such a contract. “(D) A termination or cancellation of an award of such a contract, if the written objection contains an allegation that the termination or cancellation is based in whole or in part on improprieties concerning the award of the contract.”.

5. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–355 § 1401(b)(1) · 108 Stat. 3243

   1. Inserted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

      Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(b)(1), inserted “The term” after “(2)”

   2. Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

      Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(b)(1), substituted a period for “; and” at end

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(b)(1), inserted “The term” after “(2)” and substituted a period for “; and” at end.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting “The term” after “(2)”; and (B) by striking out “; and” and inserting in lieu thereof a period; and

6. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–355 § 1401(b)(2) · 108 Stat. 3243

   Inserted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(3)

   Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(b)(2), inserted “The term” after “(3)”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (3). Pub. L. 103–355, § 1401(b)(2), inserted “The term” after “(3)”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting “The term” after “(3)”.

7. 1996

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

   Pub. L. 104–106 § 4321(d)(1)(A) · 110 Stat. 186

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551

   Pub. L. 104–106, § 4321(d)(1)(A), substituted “subchapter:” for “subchapter—” in introductory provisions

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 104–106, § 4321(d)(1)(A), substituted “subchapter:” for “subchapter—” in introductory provisions.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (A) by striking out “subchapter—” and inserting in lieu thereof “subchapter:”; and

8. 1996

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

   Pub. L. 104–106 § 4321(d)(1)(B) · 110 Stat. 186

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

   Pub. L. 104–106, § 4321(d)(1)(B), substituted “or a solicitation or other request for offers” for “or proposed contract”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–106, § 4321(d)(1)(B), substituted “or a solicitation or other request for offers” for “or proposed contract”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (B) in paragraph (2), by striking out “or proposed contract” and inserting in lieu thereof “or a solicitation or other request for offers”.

9. 2002

   Pub. L. 107–217 § 3(h)(6) · 116 Stat. 1062

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(3)

   Pub. L. 107–217 substituted “section 102 of title 40” for “section 3 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 472)”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (3). Pub. L. 107–217 substituted “section 102 of title 40” for “section 3 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 472)”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (6) In section 3551(3), strike “section 3 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 472)” and substitute “section 102 of title 40”.

10. 2004

    Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005

    Pub. L. 108–375 div. A title III § 326(a) · 118 Stat. 1811

    1. Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

       Pub. L. 108–375 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A)

    2. Added · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

       Pub. L. 108–375 added subpar. (B)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (2). Pub. L. 108–375 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (a) Treatment of Agency Tender Official as Interested Party.— Section 3551(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting “(A)” after “(2)”; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(B) The term includes the official responsible for submitting the Federal agency tender in a public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 regarding an activity or function of a Federal agency performed by more than 65 full-time equivalent employees of the Federal agency.” .

11. 2007

    Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

    Pub. L. 110–161 div. D title VII § 739(c)(1)(A) · 121 Stat. 1844

    Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

    Pub. L. 110–161 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows:

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (2). Pub. L. 110–161 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows:

    “(2)(A) The term ‘interested party’, with respect to a contract or a solicitation or other request for offers described in paragraph (1), means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award the contract. “(B) The term includes the official responsible for submitting the Federal agency tender in a public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 regarding an activity or function of a Federal agency performed by more than 65 full-time equivalent employees of the Federal agency.”

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    Sec. 739. There is hereby appropriated $9,900,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009, which, in conjunction with all unobligated balances available to the Secretary under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)) shall be used to continue the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)) in all currently participating States and expand the program to all the contiguous States and, Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia not currently served by the authorized program: Provided, That of funds available under this section, not to exceed 5 percent may be available for Federal administrative costs, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture: Provided further, That for the purposes of this section, “currently participating States” shall be defined as those authorized to participate under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)) as well as those authorized to participate under section 779 of Public Law 109–97: Provided further, That implementation of the program in new States shall begin with school year 2008/2009.

12. 2008

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

    Pub. L. 110–181 div. A title III § 326(a) · 122 Stat. 3

    Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)

    Pub. L. 110–181 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘interested party’—

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (2). Pub. L. 110–181 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘interested party’—

    “(A) with respect to a contract or a solicitation or other request for offers described in paragraph (1), means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award the contract; and “(B) with respect to a public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 regarding performance of an activity or function of a Federal agency, or a decision to convert a function performed by Federal employees to private sector performance without a competition under OMB Circular A–76, includes— “(i) any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and “(ii) any one person who, for the purpose of representing them in a protest under this subchapter that relates to such competition, has been designated as their agent by a majority of the employees of such Federal agency who are engaged in the performance of such activity or function.”

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (a) Eligibility to Protest Public-Private Competitions.— Section 3551(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(2) The term ‘interested party’— “(A) with respect to a contract or a solicitation or other request for offers described in paragraph (1), means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award the contract; and “(B) with respect to a public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 with respect to the performance of an activity or function of a Federal agency, or a decision to convert a function performed by Federal employees to private sector performance without a competition under Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76, includes— “(i) any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and “(ii) any one individual who, for the purpose of representing the Federal employees engaged in the performance of the activity or function for which the public-private competition is conducted in a protest under this subchapter that relates to such public-private competition, has been designated as the agent of the Federal employees by a majority of such employees.” .

13. 2009

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

    Pub. L. 111–84 § 327(a) · 123 Stat. 2190

    Added · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(1)(E)

    Pub. L. 111–84, § 327(a), added subpar. (E)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (1)(E). Pub. L. 111–84, § 327(a), added subpar. (E).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (a) Protest Jurisdiction of the Comptroller General.— Section 3551(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(E) Conversion of a function that is being performed by Federal employees to private sector performance.” .

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 327(d), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2255, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 3554 of this title] shall apply—

14. 2009

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

    Pub. L. 111–84 § 327(b) · 123 Stat. 2190

    Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3551(2)(B)(i)

    Pub. L. 111–84, § 327(b), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 111–84, § 327(b), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Eligibility to Protest Public-private Competitions.— Clause (i) of paragraph (2)(B) of section 3551 of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(i) any official who is responsible for submitting the agency tender in such competition; and” .

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 327(d), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2255, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 3554 of this title] shall apply—

16 of 16 references resolved to an enrolled provision