GAO Bid Protest Attorneys
 
866.601.5518
You’ve just learned that the government awarded the bid to another contractor. Now what?
Bid protest attorneys at Theodore Watson & Associates, LLC understand that bidding on government contracts can be a tedious process. It takes a substantial amount of man hours and resources to produce a response to the solicitation and even more to adequately prepare or defend a bid protest. However, it can also be more frustrating when you realize that a competitor won the bid and you did not. Our lawyers offer both bid protest defense or filing for the protestor.
Having a federal bid protest law firm that understands the rules in government contracts can be of great benefit because you want to have a solid case before filing to GAO, SBA or the agency. Our lawyers have litigated various types of protests and government procurement appeals before various forums. As you contemplate on filing a bid protest, consider taking advantage of our free initial consultation before filing the case yourself.
The government contracts law firm of Theodore Watson & Associates represents a wide range of DOD and federal contractors with legal disputes and problems in federal contracts. Our GAO bid protest attorneys serve small businesses, medium sized companies and large contractors alike. Our bid protest services include:
- Free Initial Consultation
- Flat rates
- Thorough review of the solicitiation
- Case law research to show the strength / weaknesses
- Cost benefit analysis of filing the protest
- Truthful and honest professional opinions
- Prompt turnaround
Having worked for the federal government contracting agencies, we understand that the government does make mistakes in the procurement process. We also understand what it takes for your protest to even stand a chance of prevailing.
Various choices for filing a bid protest include:
Filing a GAO bid protest: If you believe that a government bid was unlawfully awarded to another company, you can file you bid protest with GAO. You must have an economic interest in the outcome and you don’t have to be the next bidder in line for the contract.
Filing your appeal to the agency: You can also file a protest with the agency in question. This reduces costs and may even get a favorable outcome. However, most contracts take their chances by filing a protest with GAO.
Filing an SBA Size protest: In one unique situation you must file a protest with the Small Business Administration (SBA). This occurs when you believe that the successful bidder unlawfully relies on another company to perform the work. Many refer to this as a size protest or NAICS size standard protest. If you file this type of protest to GAO, it will be quickly dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. This is where you want to have a skilled and experienced bid protest lawyer on your side. In addition, the attorney must understand the ins and outs of the Ostensible Contractor Rule (used to determine the outcome of the size protest.)
Reasons for filing a bid protest
AS your bid protest lawyers, Watson & Associates are familiar with the dangerous landmines associated with filing a bid protest. For example you must be able to articulate a plausible reason why the government did not follow the terms in the solicitation. Other valid reasons include:
1. Size standard violations
2. The agency award criteria did not comply with that set forth in the solicitation
3. Improper discussions with another contractor
Alternatively, improper reasons include:
1. You simply believe the contract or cannot perform
2. Your price was lowest (and nothing more.)
Common errors include:
1. Believing that the only way to get a debriefing is in writing
2. Failure to include required information when filing a GAO bid protest.
3. Simply filing the protest because you don’t like the outcome
You must act quickly: Untimely case filing accounts for a fair share of GAO bid protest dismissals. The rules state that you must file your protest no later than ten days of when you knew, or should have known the reason for the bid protest. The exception to this rule is (a) when you request a debriefing and (b) when filing an SBA size protest. Our government contract lawyers will provide you with thorough explanation of the rules when you hire our firm.
Bid protest defense
Oftentimes, the government awards your firm the contract and an unsuccessful bidder files a protest. Our bid protest defense attorneys can enter the case on your behalf and protect your rights.
What should you do when the government notifies you of the award?
You must immediately request a debriefing. You should do this no later than 24 hours after you are aware that you are not the successful bidder. The deadline for filing is usually tolled (postponed) until after you receive your debriefing (oral or written.)
Do you have to travel to Washington DC?
Bid protest attorneys file cases either by email or fax. Travel to Washington DC is generally not required. In addition, you don’t have to hire a Washington bid protest lawyer to handle your case. Since the case involves a federally awarded contract, you can hire any skilled bid protest attorney regardless of state.
Flat rates and cost-effective approach. As bid protest lawyers, we clearly understand that cost can be a highly weighted factor when you are considering whether or not to file your bid appeal. We provide with small firm prices and cost but we never sacrifice quality. We never file a bid protest without including:
- Sound legal research and case law that supports your position
- Specific facts that explains your position
Understanding the GAO bid protest process
The first step is to file the protest that includes legally sufficient grounds for filing and that is timely. Then the agency must respond to the protest and provide you (the protestor with a copy.)
Note: Other parties (such as the winning bidder) can intervene and file written comments. After the agency response, you or your bid protest attorney can file additional comments (reply).
During a GAO bid protest, GAO may set various schedules that articulate certain deadlines of necessary hearings (if applicable.) This is an attempt to complete the record.
Then, GAO will review the record, any case law stated, and then will consider the factual record and legal issues raised by your bid protest attorneys or the government.
How long does the process take?
After the record is complete, GAO will issue a decision no later than 100 days from the date that the bid protest was filed.
What type of decision will GAO give?
Government contractors sometimes believe that GAO can order the agency to award the contract to the protestor. The truth is that GAO’s authority is limited. Generally, if you win the protest (sustain), then the ruling will find that the agency violated either the procurement statute or regulation and that the protestor was prejudiced. If this happens, the GAO may recommend action to the agency.
Nationwide representation
As federal contract bid protest lawyers we can represent clients in Colorado; Wyoming; Washington State; California; Maryland; New Mexico; Kansas and Nebraska; New York; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago, Illinois; Michigan; Pennsylvania; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Arkansas; Colorado Springs; Utah; Oklahoma; Ohio; Maine; Florida; Texas; Nevada; Maryland; Louisiana; Las Vegas; Georgia; Hawaii; Alaska; Washington, D.C.; West Virginia; Florida; Indiana; Washington State; Mississippi; California, Tennessee; Tampa; Miami; Virgin Islands; Rhode Island; Vermont; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Missouri; Virginia; Delaware; Connecticut; Arizona; New Hampshire; Massachusetts and Montana.
Additional Services
Legal
Consulting
Contact us
If you are seeking sound and honest advice from aggressive bid protest lawyers, contact the Colorado law firm of Theodore Watson & Associates, LLC
Watson & Associates, LLC
1001 South Monaco Parkway Suite 310
Denver, Colorado 80224
(720) 941 7200
or
866.601.5518
Visit our main site
Bid protest attorneys serving Denver, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington State, California, Maryland, New Mexico, Kansas and Nebraska, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado Springs, Utah, Oklahoma, Ohio, Maine, Florida, Texas, Nevada, Maryland, Louisiana, Las Vegas, Georgia, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Florida, Indiana, Washington State, Mississippi, California, Tennessee, Tampa, Miami, Virgin Islands, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, Arizona, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Montana.
Online Resources
Our new Government Contracts website Federal Acquisition Regulation Central Contractor Registration Federal Contract Opportunities Office of Federal Procurement Policy Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Our government contract consulting services Department of Agriculture U.S. Supreme Court Other Bid Protest Website | 
