4 CFR § 21.9 - Time for decision by GAO.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t4/s21.9"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "4 CFR § 21.9 - Time for decision by GAO."
title_number: 4
title_name: "Accounts"
section_number: "21.9"
section_name: "Time for decision by GAO."
chapter_name: "GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL PROCEDURES"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "BID PROTEST REGULATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 3551-3556."
regulatory_source: "61 FR 39042, July 26, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "21"
---


# 21.9 Time for decision by GAO.

(a) GAO shall issue a decision on a protest within 100 days after it is filed. GAO will attempt to resolve a request for recommendation for reimbursement of protest costs under § 21.8(e), a request for recommendation on the amount of protest costs under § 21.8(f), or a request for reconsideration under § 21.14 within 100 days after the request is filed.

(b) In protests where GAO uses the express option procedures in § 21.10, GAO shall issue a decision on a protest within 65 days after it is filed.

(c) GAO, to the maximum extent practicable, shall resolve a timely supplemental protest adding one or more new grounds to an existing protest, or a timely amended protest, within the time limit established in paragraph (a) of this section for decision on the initial protest. If a supplemental or an amended protest cannot be resolved within that time limit, GAO may resolve the supplemental or amended protest using the express option procedures in § 21.10.

[61 FR 39042, July 26, 1996, as amended at 83 FR 13825, Apr. 2, 2018]