When must a protest alleging apparent improprieties in a solicitation be filed?

A protest alleging apparent improprieties in a solicitation must be filed before bid opening or the closing date for proposals because it is essential to address any issues related to the solicitation itself prior to the commencement of the competitive bidding or proposal evaluation process. This allows for corrective actions to be taken if necessary, ensuring that all potential bidders or offerors have an equal and fair opportunity throughout the solicitation and award process.

Filing a protest at this stage prevents moving forward with proposals that might be based on flawed or unfair criteria. If such protests were allowed post-bid opening or after the contract award, it would undermine the integrity of the procurement process and could lead to unnecessary delays and complications. Therefore, the regulations clearly state that concerns regarding the solicitation need to be raised as early as possible to maintain the transparency and fairness of the competitive process.