What must an interested party demonstrate when filing a protest?

When filing a protest, an interested party must demonstrate legitimacy as a competitor in the procurement process. This means that the entity filing the protest has a direct stake in the outcome of the procurement, either because they are a potential bidder or have participated in the bidding process. Establishing this legitimacy is crucial, as it ensures that only those who are truly affected by the contract award, and thus have a legitimate reason to contest it, can do so.

This requirement helps maintain the integrity of the protest process, ensuring that the protests are based on substantial and justifiable claims rather than frivolous challenges. It's also important for ensuring that entities that have a genuine interest in competing for the contract have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the procurement process.

In contrast, the other options—financial stability, experience with similar contracts, and approval from the agency head—are not requirements for filing a protest. While financial stability might be relevant for a bid submission, it does not pertain to the legitimacy of the protest itself. Experience with similar contracts may factor into a party's ability to win a contract but is not a criterion for protesting. Approval from the agency head is not relevant as well; the protest process is independent of such approvals and centers around the competing