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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 233: Protests, Disputes, and Appeals › Subpart 233.1

DFARS 233.104 Protests to GAO.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This DFARS section changes the timing rules for when a contracting officer must suspend performance or terminate an awarded contract, task order, or delivery order after GAO notifies them of a protest. It matters because it tells contractors and contracting officers the specific deadlines that trigger this automatic stop, which can affect whether work continues after award.

Applies to: Contracting officers handling GAO protests after award of a contract, task order, or delivery order

What it requires

  • Immediately suspend performance or terminate the awarded contract, task order, or delivery order upon GAO notice of a protest filed within the listed time periods
  • Apply the later of the applicable time periods in paragraphs (c)(1)(A) through (D)
  • Follow the exceptions in FAR 33.104(c)(2) and (3)

Key terms: protest · GAO · contract award · task order · delivery order

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(c) Protests after award. (1) In lieu of the time periods in FAR 33.104(c)(1), contracting officers shall immediately suspend performance or terminate the awarded contract, task order, or delivery order upon notice from the GAO of a protest filed within the time periods listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(A) through (D) of this section, whichever is later, except as provided in FAR 33.104(c)(2) and (3)—

(A) Within 10 days after the date of contract award;

(B) Within 10 days after the date a task order or delivery order is issued, where the value exceeds $25 million (10 U.S.C. 3406(f));

(C) Within 5 days after a debriefing date offered to the protestor under a timely debriefing request in accordance with FAR 15.506 regardless of whether the protestor rejected the offered debriefing date, unless an earlier debriefing date is negotiated as a result; or

(D) Within 5 days after a postaward debriefing under FAR 15.506 is concluded in accordance with 215.506-70(b).

Sections it refers to

  • 33.104 Protests to GAO.
  • 15.506 Postaward debriefing of offerors.
  • 215.506-70 Opportunity for follow-up questions.

← 233.102 General. · 233.170 Briefing requirement for protested acquisitions valued at $1 billion or more. →

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

DFARS 233.104 Protests to GAO · SpendQuery