Through which venues may a firm protest an award decision?

A firm may protest an award decision through the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Federal Court of Claims. This is significant because both venues provide structured processes to challenge federal procurement decisions.

Filing a protest at the GAO is a common and often preferred method, where the firm can present its case regarding alleged errors in the procurement decision. The GAO reviews the evidence and issues a decision that can rectify the situation, potentially leading to corrective action or a re-evaluation of proposals.

On the other hand, the Federal Court of Claims is a judicial venue that allows firms to appeal decisions after exhausting administrative remedies like those provided by the GAO. This court can provide relief in cases where the protest at the agency level or GAO does not yield a satisfactory resolution.

While state courts may have jurisdiction over certain issues, they do not typically handle federal government procurement protests, as federal procurement laws and regulations govern these processes. Similarly, agency-level protests are a viable option, but they can lead to further appeals or hearings which may eventually escalate to either GAO or the court system.

Thus, the option emphasizing both the Federal Court of Claims and GAO encapsulates the primary and most appropriate channels available for firms aiming to protest an award decision effectively.