As part of the normal bid protest process, there is a protective order concerning the solicitation. Redacted copies may have been provided to those who are an "interested" party in the solicitation. But there are limits. The regulation states: Interested party means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of a contract or by the failure to award a contract. - Source GAO
When speaking to the Veterans Administration, I did make a remark that a lot of peoples' economic interest may ride on this one.
Anyway, according to General Accounting Office, GAO, guidance on redaction: Each individual covered under this protective order shall take all precautions necessary to prevent disclosure of protected material. In addition to physically and electronically securing, safeguarding, and restricting access to the protected material in one’s possession, these precautions include, but are not limited to, sending and receiving protected material using physical and electronic methods that are within the control of individuals authorized by this protective order or that otherwise restrict access to protected material to individuals authorized by this protective order. Protected material may be sent using electronic mail unless objected to by any party in this protest. The confidentiality of protected material shall be maintained in perpetuity. The freedom of information act may offer a solution.
However, I am not necessarily seeking a redacted copy, only the nature of the protest. For example, is the protest an issue with the manner in which the Request for Proposal was constructed, meaning that it may not adhere to the law? Or is the issue with the evaluation process?
I do not see anything proprietary in this information.
Hopefully, I can get this information to you soon.
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