1. A. The commissioner shall have authority to review and determine any appeal by a party, aggrieved person or interested person who has intervened in a hearing before the hearing officer from a determination by the hearing officer from an adjudication on a protest of a solicitation, award, or intent to award, a suspension or debarment, or a controversy between the state and a contractor.

2. B. Scope of Appellate Review by the Commissioner

   1. 1. An appeal to the commissioner authorized by R.S. 39:1681 and the foregoing provision shall be limited to a review of the record of the proceedings before the hearing officer and written briefs submitted by or on behalf of persons who have appealed.

   2. 2. A person seeking review by the commissioner of a decision by the hearing officer may, within the time limitations fixed herein below for appeals, raise by separate written documents:

      1. a. the existence and discovery since hearing of new evidence important to the issues which he could not have with due diligence obtained before or during trial; or
      2. b. the existence of issues not previously considered which ought to be examined in order to properly dispose of the matter. Upon receipt of such separate written document, the commissioner, should he deem the assertions well founded, may either remand the matter to the hearing office or grant a hearing to consider the assertions himself. In either event, whether the assertions are heard by the hearing officer or the commissioner, the evidence or submissions of said hearing shall be incorporated into the record and considered in the administrative appeal.

3. C. Appeal of Protest Hearing. An aggrieved person or an interested person who has participated in the proceedings before the hearing officer appealed from shall file an appeal to the commissioner within seven days of receipt of the decision of the hearing officer. The commissioner shall decide within 14 days whether the solicitation or award or intent thereof was in accordance with the constitution, statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the solicitation. A copy of the decision of the commissioner on the appeal shall be mailed or otherwise furnished immediately to the aggrieved person or interested person who has appealed or otherwise participated in the appeal from the decision of the hearing officer. The decision of the commissioner on the appeal shall be final and conclusive unless:

   1. 1. the decision is fraudulent; or
   2. 2. the person adversely affected by the decision of the commissioner has timely appealed to the court in accordance with R.S. 39:1691(A).

4. D. Appeal of Suspension or Debarment Hearing. A party shall file his appeal with the commissioner from a suspension or debarment hearing within 14 days of the receipt of the decision of suspension or debarment from the hearing officer. The commissioner shall decide within 14 days whether, or the extent to which, the debarment or suspension was in accordance with the constitution, statute, regulations, and the best interests of the state and was fair. A copy of the decision shall be mailed or otherwise furnished immediately to the debarred or suspended person or any other party interviewing. The decision of the commissioner on the appeal shall be final and conclusive unless:

   1. 1. the decision is fraudulent; or
   2. 2. the debarred or suspended party has timely appealed to the court in accordance with R.S. 39:1691(B). The filing of a petition in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court shall not stay the decision of the commissioner except as is provided under the section entitled "Procedure upon Judicial Review" of this rule.

5. E. Appeal of Contractor Controversy. A party shall file his appeal with the commissioner within 14 days of the receipt of the determination under R.S. 39:1673(C). The commissioner shall decide within 14 days the contract or breach of contract controversy. A copy of the decision shall be mailed or otherwise furnished immediately to the contractor. The decision of the commissioner on appeal shall be final and conclusive unless:

   1. 1. the decision is fraudulent; or
   2. 2. the contractor has timely appealed to the court in accordance with R.S. 39:1691(C). The filing of a petition in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court shall not stay the decision of the commissioner except as is provided under §3119, "Procedure upon Judicial Review."

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 39:1581.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Division of Administration, Office of State Purchasing, LR 9:212 (April 1983), repromulgated LR 40:1368 (July 2014), amended by the Office of the Governor, Division of Administration, Office of State Procurement, LR 44:769 (April 2018).