How many protest venues are available for filing a protest?

The correct answer is that there are three protest venues available for filing a protest. These venues refer to the different avenues a party can pursue to challenge a government contract award decision.

Typically, the available venues include:

1. The agency involved in the procurement process, where a protest can be filed directly with the contracting officer or the agency's designated protest office.

2. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), which has the authority to review protests concerning federal procurements. This venue is particularly popular for its relatively quick turnaround time for decisions.

3. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims, where more formal litigation can take place. This route allows for judicial review of procurement-related decisions and is usually pursued when other administrative remedies have been exhausted or for specific legal issues.

Understanding these three venues is critical for a party looking to navigate the complexities of federal contracting and to ensure their interests are adequately represented in the procurement process.