An interested party regarding protests is defined as which of the following?

An interested party in the context of protests is defined as an actual or prospective offeror. This definition is crucial because it establishes who has the right to challenge a contracting decision. An actual offeror is someone who has submitted a proposal for a contract, while a prospective offeror is one who is qualified and intends to submit a proposal but has not yet done so.

This definition ensures that only those who are directly involved in the competing for the contract or who have a legitimate stake in the procurement process can file a protest. This helps to streamline the process and focus on the concerns of those most affected by the contracting decisions.

In contrast, while existing contractors may have a vested interest in the outcome, they do not fit the definitions of actual or prospective offerors regarding the specific competition at hand. Similarly, government agencies do not file protests because they are not part of the bidding process, and a former offeror lacks standing since they are not involved in the current competition. Thus, the designation of an interested party focuses on current and potential bidders to maintain the integrity of the procurement system.