FAR Part 13: Can I Wait to Protest When the Agency Tells Me a Debriefing Will Be Provided?

Summary

This episode breaks down a recent GAO decision (ASG Solutions Corp.) that clarified how timeliness rules apply when a contract is awarded under FAR Part 13. The GAO held that because the Navy’s procurement was a simplified acquisition, it was not required to provide a debriefing, and the protest deadline remained the standard 10 days after the brief award notice—not extended by a promised debrief. The discussion highlights that the solicitation’s terms, not agency statements, control the debriefing requirement, and that offerors must diligently seek award information to preserve protest rights. Listeners learn why relying on agency assurances can be risky and why early, counsel‑guided protest filing is essential.