OAR 137-049-0260: Request for Clarification or Change; Solicitation Protests

(1) Clarification. Prior to the deadline for submitting a Written request for change or protest, an Offeror may request that the Contracting Agency clarify any provision of the Solicitation Document. The Contracting Agency's clarification to an Offeror, whether orally or in Writing, does not change the Solicitation Document and is not binding on the Contracting Agency unless the Contracting Agency amends the Solicitation Document by Addendum. (2) Request for Change. (a) Delivery. An Offeror may request in Writing a change to the Specifications or Contract terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document, an Offeror must deliver the Written request for change to the Contracting Agency not less than 10 Days prior to Closing; (b) Content of Request for Change. (A) An Offeror's Written request for change shall include a statement of the requested change(s) to the Contract terms and conditions, including any Specifications, together with the reason for the requested change. (B) An Offeror shall mark its request for change as follows: (i) "Contract Provision Request for Change"; and (ii) Solicitation Document number (or other identification as specified in the Solicitation Document). (3) Protest. (a) Delivery. An Offeror may protest Specifications or Contract terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation Document, an Offeror must deliver a Written protest on those matters to the Contracting Agency not less than 10 Days prior to Closing; (b) Content of Protest. (A) An Offeror's Written protest shall include: (i) A detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds for the protest; (ii) A description of the resulting prejudice to the Offeror; and (iii) A statement of the desired changes to the Contract terms and conditions, including any Specifications. (B) An Offeror shall mark its protest as follows: (i) "Contract Provision Protest"; and (ii) Solicitation Document number (or other identification as specified in the Solicitation Document). (4) Contracting Agency Response. The Contracting Agency is not required to consider an Offeror's request for change or protest after the deadline established for submitting such request or protest. The Contracting Agency shall provide notice to the applicable Person if it entirely rejects a protest. If the Contracting Agency agrees with the Person's request or protest, in whole or in part, the Contracting Agency shall either issue an Addendum reflecting its determination under OAR 137-049-0260 or cancel the solicitation under OAR 137-049-0270. (5) Extension of Closing. If a Contracting Agency receives a Written request for change or protest from an Offeror in accordance with this rule, the Contracting Agency may extend Closing if the Contracting Agency determines an extension is necessary to consider the request or protest and issue an Addendum, if any, to the Solicitation Document.