With the exception of protests filed directly with the Department pursuant to FAR 33.103, the Office of General Counsel has responsibility for handling matters relating to protests against award of contracts by the Department. All written communications from the Department to the GAO or other adjudicating body shall be made by the Office of General Counsel. The Contracting Officer has responsibility for furnishing the Office of General Counsel with all information relating to a protest.

(d)(2) Appeals of Contracting Officer protest decisions shall include the information required at FAR 33.103(d)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi).

(d)(4)(i) Protesters may request an appeal of the Contracting Officer's decision on a protest. Such requests shall be made in writing to the cognizant HCA not later than 10 days after receipt of the Contracting Officer's decision.

(ii) The HCA, in consultation with the Office of General Counsel, shall make all independent reviews of the Contracting Officer's decision requested by protesters in accordance with FAR 33.103(d)(4) and provide the protester with the HCA's decision on the appeal.

(f)(1) A determination by the Contracting Officer to award a contract pending resolution of a protest as authorized by FAR 33.103 shall be approved by the HCA in consultation with the Office of General Counsel.

(f)(3) A determination by the Contracting Officer to not suspend performance of a contract pending resolution of a protest as authorized by FAR 33.103 shall be approved by the HCA in consultation with the Office of General Counsel.

(a)(1) General. When advised by GAO of the receipt of a protest, the Office of General Counsel shall immediately inform the contracting activity. The Contracting Officer shall notify the Office of General Counsel upon receipt of the copy of the protest from the protestor.

(2) Upon receipt by the Department of a written request for a formal report relating to a protest, the Office of General Counsel, with appropriate assistance from the Contracting Officer, shall prepare and file the report in accordance with GAO requirements at 4 CFR part 21.

(c) Protests after award. Protests received after award shall be treated in the same manner as those filed with GAO before award in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

(d) Findings and notice. When the Contracting Officer makes a determination to award a contract notwithstanding a protest as authorized by FAR 33.104(b)(1)(i-ii), or to continue contractor performance as authorized by FAR 33.104(c)(2), that determination of the intent to make an award or to continue contract performance shall be approved by the HCA after consultation with the Office of General Counsel.

(g) Notice to GAO. If the HCA proposes not to comply with a GAO recommendation concerning the resolution of a protest of a procurement award, prior to reporting to the Comptroller General concerning that decision, the HCA shall obtain the concurrence of the Office of General Counsel and the Senior Procurement Executive.

The Contracting Officer shall insert the provision at 2452.233-70, Review of Contracting Officer Protest Decisions, in all solicitations for contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.