4 CFR §21.10
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Upon a request filed by a party or on its own initiative, GAO may decide a protest using an express option.
- (b)The express option will be adopted at the discretion of GAO and only in those cases suitable for resolution within 65 days.
- (c)Requests for the express option shall be filed not later than 5 days after the protest or supplemental/amended protest is filed. GAO will promptly notify the parties whether the case will be handled using the express option.
- (d)When the express option is used, the following schedule applies instead of those deadlines in § 21.3 and § 21.7:
- (1)The agency shall file a complete report within 20 days after it receives notice from GAO that the express option will be used.
- (2)Comments on the agency report shall be filed within 5 days after receipt of the report.
- (3)Where circumstances demonstrate that a case is no longer suitable for resolution using the express option, GAO shall establish a new schedule for submissions by the parties.
- (e)GAO, on its own initiative or upon a request filed by the parties, may use flexible alternative procedures to promptly and fairly resolve a protest, including alternative dispute resolution, establishing an accelerated schedule, and/or issuing a summary decision.
- (f)GAO may conduct status and other conferences by telephone or in person with all parties participating in a protest to promote the expeditious development and resolution of the protest.