1. A. An interested party may protest to the appropriate procurement officer against the award or the proposed award of a contract subject to this title, including awards subject to the veteran-owned small business enterprise program set forth in COMAR 21.11.12.

2. A-1. An interested party may not protest:

   1. (1) An unintentional violation of State Finance and Procurement Article, §17-502, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
   2. (2) Verification of a veteran-owned small business enterprise by the Center for Veterans Enterprise of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
3. A-2. An unsuccessful bidder or any other person may not protest the award of a contract or contract renewal on the basis of a false certification regarding investments in Iran delivered to a public body pursuant to State Finance and Procurement Article, §17-705, Annotated Code of Maryland. This subsection does not prohibit a public body from filing a protest objecting to the award of a contract or contract renewal on the basis of a false certification.

4. B. The protest shall be in writing and addressed to the procurement officer at either:

   1. (1) The physical address specified in the solicitation; or
   2. (2) The e-mail address specified in the solicitation.

5. C. A protest:

   1. (1) Shall be filed within the appropriate time in Regulation .03 of this chapter; and

   2. (2) Shall be filed and delivered either:

      1. (a) By hand, the U.S. Postal Service, or a courier service; or
      2. (b) By e-mail.

Authority: State Finance and Procurement Article, §§12-101 and 15-201—15-223, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 1, 1981 (8:13 Md. R. II-5)

Regulation .09 amended and .10 adopted effective August 15, 1983 (10:16 Md. R. 1454)

Chapter revised effective January 9, 1989 (15:27 Md. R. 3138)

Regulation .01B amended effective May 13, 2013 (40:9 Md. R. 789)

Regulation .02A amended effective February 23, 2009 (36:4 Md. R. 355); July 23, 2012 (39:14 Md. R. 839)

Regulation .02A-1 adopted effective July 23, 2012 (39:14 Md. R. 839)

Regulation .02A-1 amended effective August 13, 2018 (45:16 Md. R. 776)

Regulation .02A-2 adopted effective May 13, 2013 (40:9 Md. R. 789)

Regulation .02B amended effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md R. 221)

Regulation .02C adopted effective October 27, 2003 (30:21 Md. R. 1530)

Regulation .02C amended effective June 29, 2020 (47:13 Md. R. 643); March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md R. 221)

Regulation .03D adopted effective October 27, 2003 (30:21 Md. R. 1530)

Regulation .03D repealed effective May 2, 2022 (49:9 Md. R. 531)

Regulation .04 amended effective June 29, 2020 (47:13 Md. R. 643)

Regulation .07 amended effective April 7, 2008 (35:7 Md. R. 751)

Regulation .10B amended effective December 25, 2000 (27:25 Md. R. 2284)