§ 3555. Regulations; authority of Comptroller General to verify assertions

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. § 3555

   Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, § 2741(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1202

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, § 2741(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1202

   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. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–355 § 1404(c) · 108 Stat. 3243

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3555(a)

   Pub. L. 103–355, § 1404(c), substituted “The Comptroller General” for “Not later than January 15, 1985, the Comptroller General”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–355, § 1404(c), substituted “The Comptroller General” for “Not later than January 15, 1985, the Comptroller General”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (c) Repeal of Obsolete Deadline.— Subsection (a) of such section is amended by striking out “Not later than January 15, 1985, the” and inserting in lieu thereof “The”.

   Effective date note
   For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 103–355, see section 10001 of Pub. L. 103–355, set out as a note under section 8752 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

3. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–355 § 1404(a) · 108 Stat. 3243

   1. Added · 31 U.S.C. § 3555(b)(d)

      Pub. L. 103–355, § 1404(a), (b), added subsecs. (b) and (c)

   2. Redesignated · 31 U.S.C. § 3555(b)(d)

      Pub. L. 103–355, § 1404(a), (b), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 103–355, § 1404(a), (b), added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Computation of Periods.— Section 3555 of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b): “(b) The procedures shall provide that, in the computation of any period described in this subchapter— “(1) the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run not be included; and “(2) the last day after such act, event, or default be included, unless— “(A) such last day is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday; or “(B) in the case of a filing of a paper at the General Accounting Office or a Federal agency, such last day is a day on which weather or other conditions cause the closing of the General Accounting Office or Federal agency, in which event the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be included.”.

   Effective date note
   For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 103–355, see section 10001 of Pub. L. 103–355, set out as a note under section 8752 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

4. 2004

   GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004

   Pub. L. 108–271 § 8(b) · 118 Stat. 811

   Substituted · 31 U.S.C. § 3555(b)(2)(B)

   Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in two places

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in two places.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (b) References.— Any reference to the General Accounting Office in any law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on the date of enactment of this Act shall be considered to refer and apply to the Government Accountability Office.

5. 2014

   Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2014

   Pub. L. 113–76 div. I title I § 1501 · 128 Stat. 5

   Amended · 31 U.S.C. § 3555(c)

   Pub. L. 113–76 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “The Comptroller General may prescribe procedures for the electronic filing and dissemination of documents and information required under this subchapter. In prescribing such procedures, the Comptroller General shall consider the ability of all parties to achieve electronic access to such documents and records.”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–76 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “The Comptroller General may prescribe procedures for the electronic filing and dissemination of documents and information required under this subchapter. In prescribing such procedures, the Comptroller General shall consider the ability of all parties to achieve electronic access to such documents and records.”

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 1501. use of electronic filing for procurement protest system Section 3555(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(c) Electronic Filing and Document Dissemination System.— “(1) Establishment and operation of system.— The Comptroller General shall establish and operate an electronic filing and document dissemination system under which, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Comptroller General— “(A) a person filing a protest under this subchapter may file the protest through electronic means; and “(B) all documents and information required with respect to the protest may be disseminated and made available to the parties to the protest through electronic means. “(2) Imposition of fees.— “(A) In general.— The Comptroller General may require each person who files a protest under this subchapter to pay a fee to support the establishment and operation of the electronic system under this subsection, without regard to whether or not the person uses the system with respect to the protest. “(B) Amount.— The Comptroller General shall establish (and from time to time shall update) a schedule setting forth the amount of the fee to be paid under subparagraph (A). “(3) Treatment of amounts collected.— “(A) Establishment of account.— The Comptroller General shall maintain a separate account among the accounts of the Government Accountability Office for the electronic system under this subsection, and shall deposit all amounts received as fees under paragraph (2) into the account. “(B) Use of amounts.— Amounts in the account maintained under this paragraph shall be available to the Comptroller General, without fiscal year limitation, solely to establish and operate the electronic system under this subsection.” .

6 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision