(A) Right to protest competitive solicitation. Any business may protest the specifications of a competitive solicitation issued by the Central Purchasing Office and any offeror may protest a recommendation of award resulting from a competitive solicitation. Such protests must be submitted within the time frame specified in the competitive solicitation or recommendation of award, but in no event more than 15 calendar days after knowledge of the facts or occurrences giving rise to the protest. Protests shall be made to the Chief Procurement Officer.
(B) Right to protest sole source exceeding $75,000 or above. Any qualified potential contractor may protest an intent to award a sole source procurement exceeding $75,000 within 30 calendar days after the sole source procurement is posted to the ABQ View Website. Protests shall be made to the Chief Procurement Officer.
(C) Actions pending protest. In the event of a timely protest the Central Purchasing Office shall not proceed further with the procurement unless the Chief Procurement Officer makes a determination that the award of the contract is necessary to protect substantial interests of the city.
(D) Protest authority. The Chief Procurement Officer shall have the authority to take any action reasonably necessary to resolve a protest of an aggrieved offeror. This authority shall be exercised in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Chief Procurement Officer pursuant to its authority granted in § 5-5-6 of this article.
(E) Applicability. This section shall not apply to the procurements made pursuant to § 5-5-11, Capital Projects.
(Ord. 30-1998; Am. Ord. 26-2011; Am. Ord. 2016-005; Am. Ord. 2019-005)