REVIEW OF PROTESTS AND EFFECT ON CONTRACTS PENDING DECISION.

SEC. 1402. REVIEW OF PROTESTS AND EFFECT ON CONTRACTS PENDING DECISION. (a) Periods for Certain Actions.— Section 3553 of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking out “one working day of’ and inserting in lieu thereof “one day after”; and 108 STAT. 3288 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking out “25 working days from” and inserting in lieu thereof “35 days after”; and (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking out “10 working days from” and inserting in lieu thereof “20 days after”; and (2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking out “thereafter” and inserting in lieu thereof “after the making of such finding”, (b) Suspension of Performance.— Subsection (d) of such section is amended to read as follows: “(d) (1) A contractor awarded a Federal agency contract may, during the period described in paragraph (4), begin performance of the contract and engage in any related activities that result in obligations being incurred by the United States under the contract unless the contracting officer responsible for the award of the contract withholds authorization to proceed with performance of the contract. “(2) The contracting officer may withhold an authorization to proceed with performance of the contract during the period described in paragraph (4) if the contracting officer determines in writing that— “(A) a protest is likely to be filed; and “(B) the immediate performance of the contract is not in the best interests of the United States. “(3) (A) If the Federal agency awarding the contract receives notice of a protest in accordance with this section during the period described in paragraph (4)— “(i) the contracting officer may not authorize performance of the contract to begin while the protest is pending; or “(ii) if authorization for contract performance to proceed was not withheld in accordance with paragraph (2) before receipt of the notice, the contracting officer shall immediately direct the contractor to cease performance under the contract and to suspend any related activities that may result in additional obligations being incurred by the United States under that contract. “(B) Performance and related activities suspended pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) by reason of a protest may not be resumed while the protest is pending. “(C) The head of the procuring activity may authorize the performance of the contract (notwithstanding a protest of which the Federal agency has notice under this section)— “(i) upon a written finding that— “(I) performance of the contract is in the best interests of the United States; or “(II) urgent and compelling circumstances that significantly affect interests of the United States will not permit waiting for the decision of the Comptroller General concerning the protest; and “(ii) after the Comptroller General is notified of that find— “(4) The period referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3)(A), with respect to a contract, is the period beginning on the date of the contract award and ending on the later of— “(A) the date that is 10 days after the date of the contract award; or 108 STAT. 3289 “(B) the date that is 5 days after the debriefing date offered to an unsuccessful offeror for any debriefing that is requested and, when requested, is required. .