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GAO Proposed Rule Heralds New Electronic Filing System for Bid Protests

Client Alert | 1 min read | 04.18.16

On April 15, 2016, GAO published a proposed rule, with comments due May 16, to implement a web-based electronic docketing system that, when the rule is finalized, will be the only conduit for filing a protest letter and other filings, with the exception of classified ones. In addition, among other changes, the proposed rule indicates that GAO will impose a filing fee, anticipated to be $350, for at least six years to offset the cost of the development and maintenance of the system and will require the parties to prepare a redacted public version of all documents filed in connection with a protest.

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Client Alert | 2 min read | 12.19.25

GAO Cautions Agencies—Over-Redact at Your Own Peril

Bid protest practitioners in recent years have witnessed agencies’ increasing efforts to limit the production of documents and information in response to Government Accountability Office (GAO) bid protests—often will little pushback from GAO. This practice has underscored the notable difference in the scope of bid protest records before GAO versus the Court of Federal Claims. However, in Tiger Natural Gas, Inc., B-423744, Dec. 10, 2025, 2025 CPD ¶ __, GAO made clear that there are limits to the scope of redactions, and GAO will sustain a protest where there is insufficient evidence that the agency’s actions were reasonable....