§3551. Definitions

In this subchapter:

(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.

(2) 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.

(3) The term "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).

(Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, §2741(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1199 ; amended Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1304(d), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 742 ; Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(1)(K), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1362 ; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1401, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3287 ; Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLIII, §4321(d)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 674 .)

Amendments

1996-Pub. L. 104–106, §4321(d)(1)(A), substituted "subchapter:" for "subchapter-" in introductory provisions.

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

1994-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;".

Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "a Federal" for "an Federal".

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

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

1985-Par. (1). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted "Federal agency" for "executive agency".

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 104–106, see section 4401 of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 251 of Title 41, Public Contracts.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

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 251 of Title 41, Public Contracts.

Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to any protest filed after Jan. 14, 1985, see section 2751(b) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 251 of Title 41, Public Contracts.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in title 22 section 3862.