Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System--Volume 1
PART 2852—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
2852.000   Scope of part.
This part provides the text of provisions and clauses which are unique to DOJ or supplement the FAR.
2852.102   Incorporating provisions and clauses.
JAR provisions and clauses may be incorporated in solicitations and contracts by reference.
2852.200   Scope of subpart.
This subpart sets forth the text of all DOJ provisions and clauses. It also cross-references to the location in the JAR that prescribes the use of each provision and clause.
2852.201-70   Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
As prescribed in JAR 2801.604, insert the following clause:
(a) Mr./Ms. (Name) of (Organization), (Address), (Area Code & Telephone No.), is hereby designated to act as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) under (contract #), for the period of (specify the performance period of the contract that the designation covers).
(b) Performance of work under this contract is subject to the technical direction of the COR identified above, or another representative designated in writing by the Contracting Officer. The term “technical direction” includes, without limitation, the following:
(i) Receiving all deliverables;
(ii) Inspecting and accepting the supplies or services provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract;
(iii) Clarifying, directing, or redirecting the contract effort, including shifting work between work areas and locations, filling in details, or otherwise serving to accomplish the contractual statement of work to ensure the work is accomplished satisfactorily;
(iv) Evaluating performance of the Contractor; and
(v) Certifying all invoices/vouchers for acceptance of the supplies or services furnished for payment.
(c) The COR does not have the authority to issue direction that:
(i) Constitutes a change of assignment or work outside the contract specification/work statement/scope of work.
(ii) Constitutes a change as defined in the clause entitled “Changes” or other similar contract term.
(iii) Causes, in any manner, an increase or decrease in the contract price or the time required for contract performance;
(iv) Causes, in any manner, any change in a term, condition, or specification or the work statement/scope of work of the contract;
(v) Causes, in any manner, any change or commitment that affects price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other term or condition of the contract or that, in any way, directs the contractor or its subcontractors to operate in conflict with the contract terms and conditions;
(vi) Interferes with the contractor's right to perform under the terms and conditions of the contract;
(vii) Directs, supervises, or otherwise controls the actions of the Contractor's employees or a Subcontractor's employees.
(d) The Contractor shall proceed promptly with performance resulting from the technical direction of the COR. If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any direction by the COR or the designated representative falls outside the authority of (b) above and/or within the limitations of (c) above, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer.
(e) Failure of the Contractor and Contracting Officer to agree that technical direction is within the scope of the contract is a dispute that shall be subject to the “Disputes” clause and/or other similar contract term.
(f) COR authority is not re-delegable.
2852.203-70   General Non-Disclosure Agreement.
As prescribed in JAR 2803.908-70, insert the following provision:
The provisions of this Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive Order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive Orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.
2852.203-71   Intelligence Related Non-Disclosure Agreement.
As prescribed in JAR 2803.908-71, insert the following provision:
(1) The signatory will not disclose any classified information received in the course of such intelligence or intelligence-related activity unless specifically authorized to do so by the United States Government; and
(2) The Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) does not bar disclosures to Congress, or to an authorized official of an executive agency or the Department of Justice, which are essential to reporting a substantial violation of law.
2852.212-4   Contract Terms and Conditions, Commercial Items (FAR Deviation).
As prescribed in JAR 2812.301, insert the following provision:
When a commercial item is contemplated (using FAR part 12 procedures or otherwise) and the contract will include FAR 52.212-4, the following replaces subparagraph (g)(2); paragraph (h); subparagraph (i)(2); paragraph (s); and paragraph (u), Unauthorized Obligations, of the basic FAR clause, and adds paragraph (w), as follows:
(g)(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment act regulations at 5 CFR part 1315, as modified by subparagraph (i)(2), Prompt payment, of this clause.
(h) Patent indemnity. Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government and its respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, “Indemnities”) from and against any and all liability and losses incurred by the Indemnities that are (i) included in any settlement and/or (ii) awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction arising from or in connection with any third party claim of infringement made against Indemnities asserting that any product or service supplied under this contract constitutes infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade name or other proprietary or intellectual right. This indemnity shall not apply unless Contractor shall have been informed within a reasonable time by the Government of the claim or action alleging such infringement and shall have been given such opportunity as is afforded by applicable laws, rules, or regulations to participate in its defense. This indemnity also shall not apply to any claim unreasonably settled by the Government which obligates Contractor to make any admission or pay any amount without written consent signed by an authorized officer of Contractor, unless required by final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(i)(2) Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations (5 CFR part 1315), with the following modification regarding the due date: For the sole purpose of computing an interest penalty due the Contractor, the Government agrees to inspect and determine the acceptability of any supply delivered or service performed specified in the invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt of a proper invoice from the Contractor, after which time, if no affirmative action has been taken by the Government to accept such supply or service, the supply or service will be deemed accepted and payment due thirty (30) days from the date of deemed acceptance. If the Government makes the determination that the item delivered or service performed is deficient or otherwise unacceptable, or the invoice is otherwise determined not to be a proper invoice, the terms and conditions of this paragraph regarding prompt payment will apply to the date the Contractor corrects the deficiency in the item delivered or service performed or submits a proper invoice. If actual acceptance occurs within the constructive acceptance period, the Government will base the determination of an interest penalty on the actual date of acceptance. The constructive acceptance requirement does not, however, compel Government officials to accept supplies or services, perform contract administration functions, or make payment prior to fulfilling their responsibilities.
(s) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:
(1) The schedule of supplies/services.
(2) The Assignments, Payments, Invoice, Other Compliances, and Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts provisions of the basic FAR clause at 52.212-4, and the Unauthorized Obligations and Contractor's Commercial Supplier Agreements—Unenforceable Clauses provisions of JAR 2852.212-4.
(3) FAR 52.212-5.
(4) Other paragraphs of the basic FAR clause at 52.212-4, with the exception of paragraph (o), Warranty, and those paragraphs identified in this deviation of 52.212-4.
(5) Addenda to this solicitation, contract, or order, including contractor's Commercial supplier agreements incorporated into the contract.
(6) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.
(7) Paragraph (o), Warranty, of the basic FAR clause at 52.212-4.
(8) The Standard Form 1449.
(9) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.
(10) The specification.
(u) Unauthorized obligations.
(1) Except as stated in paragraph (u)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract or order is subject to any Commercial supplier agreement that includes any language, provision, or clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (see 31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern:
(i) Any such language, provision, or clause is unenforceable against the Government.
(ii) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the commercial supplier agreement. If the commercial supplier agreement is invoked through an “I agree” click box or other similar mechanism ( e.g., “click-wrap” or “browse-wrap” agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause.
(iii) Any such language, provision, or clause is deemed to be stricken from the commercial supplier agreement and have no effect.
(2) Paragraph (u)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures.
(w) Commercial supplier agreements—unenforceable clauses. When any supply or service acquired under this contract or order is subject to a contractor's commercial supplier agreement, the following shall be deemed incorporated into such agreement and modifies and replaces any similar language, provision, or clause in such agreement. As used herein, “this agreement” means any contractor commercial supplier agreement:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, when the end user is an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, the following shall apply:
(i) Applicability. This agreement is a part of a contract between commercial supplier and the U.S. Government for the acquisition of the supply or service that necessitates a license or other similar legal instrument (including all contracts, task orders, and delivery orders under FAR part 12).
(ii) End user. This agreement shall bind the Government as end user but shall not operate to bind the Government employee or person acting on behalf of the Government in his or her personal capacity.
(iii) Law and disputes. This agreement is governed by Federal law.
(A) Any language, provision, or clause purporting to subject the U.S. Government to the laws of any U.S. state, territory, district, or municipality, or the laws of a foreign nation, except where Federal law expressly provides for the application of such laws, is hereby deleted and shall have no effect.
(B) Any language, provision, or clause requiring dispute resolution in a specific forum or venue that is different from that prescribed by applicable Federal law is hereby deleted and shall have no effect.
(C) Any language, provision, or clause prescribing a different time period for bringing an action than that prescribed by applicable Federal law in relation to a dispute is hereby deleted and shall have no effect.
(iv) Continued performance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this agreement, if the Contractor believes the Government to be in breach of this contract, order, or agreement, it shall pursue its rights under the Contract Disputes Act or other applicable Federal statute while continuing performance as set forth in subparagraph (d), Disputes, of FAR 52.212-4.
(v) Arbitration; equitable or injunctive relief. In the event of a claim or dispute arising under or relating to the contract, order, or this agreement, (A) binding arbitration shall not be used unless otherwise specifically authorized by agency guidance, and (B) equitable or injunctive relief, including the award of attorney fees, costs or interest, may be awarded against the Government only when explicitly provided by statute.
(vi) Updating terms.
(A) After award, the contractor may unilaterally revise terms if they are not material. Material terms are defined as:
(1) Terms that change Government rights or obligations;
(2) Terms that increase Government prices;
(3) Terms that decrease the overall level of service; or
(4) Terms that limit any other Government right addressed elsewhere in this contract.
(B) For revisions that materially change the terms of the contract, the revised commercial supplier agreement must be incorporated into the contract using a bilateral modification.
(C) Any agreement terms or conditions unilaterally revised subsequent to award that are inconsistent with any material term or provisions of this contract shall not be enforceable against the Government, and the Government shall not be deemed to have consented to them.
(vii) Order of precedence. Any Order of Precedence clause in any commercial supplier agreement is not enforceable against the Government. The applicable Order of Precedence for this contract, order, or agreement is FAR 52.212-4(s), as revised by JAR 2812.302 and 2852.212-4(s).
(viii) No automatic renewals. If any license or service tied to period payment is provided under this agreement ( e.g., annual software maintenance or annual lease term), such license or service shall not renew automatically upon expiration of its current term without prior express consent by a properly warranted contracting officer, and any provision or term of any license or service purporting to provide for automatic renewal is unenforceable against the Government.
(ix) Indemnification by the Government or end-user. Any language, provision, or clause of this commercial supplier agreement requiring the Government or End-user to indemnify the commercial supplier or licensor is not enforceable against the Government.
(x) Indemnification by the commercial supplier or licensor. Any clause of this agreement requiring or permitting the commercial supplier or licensor to defend the Government as a condition of indemnifying the Government for any claim of infringement is hereby amended to provide that the U.S. Department of Justice has the sole right to represent the United States in any such action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 516.
(xi) Audits. Any language, provision, or clause of this commercial supplier agreement permitting Contractor to audit the end user's compliance with this agreement is not enforceable against the Government. To the extent any language, provision or clause of this agreement permits Contractor to audit the Government's compliance under this contract, order, or agreement, such language, provision, or clause of this agreement is hereby stricken and replaced as follows:
“(A) If Contractor reasonably believes that the Government has violated the terms of this agreement with regard to the restrictions on authorized use and/or the number of authorized users, upon written request from Contractor, including an explanation of the basis for the request, DOJ will provide a redacted version of the Government's most recent Security Assessment and Authorization package (SAA) to Contractor on a confidential basis, so that Contractor may reasonably verify the Government's compliance with its obligations under this agreement. Contractor understands and agrees that the Government will remove or redact any information from the SAA that it reasonably believes may compromise (a) the security of the Government's information technology environment; (b) the confidentiality of any third-party proprietary or confidential information; (c) any confidential, sensitive law enforcement information; and (d) any other information that the Government believes may compromise a past, current, or prospective investigation, prosecution, or litigation. Notwithstanding the preceding, and subject to the Government's policies and procedures for such review, including but not limited to complying with all Government security requirements prior to being granted access to the Government's facilities, including the execution of appropriate confidentiality and/or non-disclosure agreements, the Government will arrange, upon Contractor's written request, for Contractor to view an un-redacted version of the SAA on Government premises. Contractor understands that Contractor will be provided a copy of the un-redacted SAA on Government premises only and that no un-redacted copy of the SAA, or any medium containing information relating to it, will be permitted to be removed from Government premises.
(B) The Contractor also understands and agrees that the Contractor shall make a request under this paragraph no more than on an annual basis and only during the period of the contract, and that any activities performed by Contractor under this clause will be performed at Contractor's expense, without reimbursement by the Government.
(C) Discrepancies found with regard to the restrictions on authorized use and/or the number of authorized users may result in a charge by Contractor to the Government. Any resulting invoice must comply with the proper invoicing and payment requirements specified in the contract. This charge, if disputed by the Government, will be resolved through the Disputes clause at 52.212-4(d); no payment obligation shall arise on the part of the Government until the conclusion of the dispute process.”
(xii) Taxes or surcharges. Any taxes or surcharges which the Contractor seeks to pass along to the Government as end user will be governed by the terms of the underlying Government contract and, in any event, must be submitted to the Contracting Officer for a determination of applicability prior to invoicing unless specifically agreed to otherwise in the Government contract.
(xiii) Non-assignment. This agreement may not be assigned, nor may any rights or obligations thereunder be delegated, without the Government's prior approval, except as expressly permitted under FAR 52.212-4 (b), Assignment.
(xiv) Confidential information.
(A) During the term of this contract or order, either party may identify information as “confidential information,” and there shall be no disclosure, dissemination, or publication of any such information except to the extent required for the performance of this contract or order and otherwise provided in this clause or by statute or regulation. Specifically, the parties agree that the party receiving confidential information may only disclose such information to its employees and contractors on a “need-to-know” basis to carry out the obligations of this contract or order, and that subcontractors performing under this Agreement are subject to the same stipulations provided in this provision. The parties also agree that this provision shall survive the termination of this contract or order, and any confidential information obtained or received which comes within these restrictions shall remain confidential, provided that the obligation to treat information as confidential shall not apply to information which is or becomes publicly available through no improper action of the receiving party; is or comes to be in the receiving party's possession independent of its relationship with the disclosing party; is developed by or becomes known to the receiving party without use of any confidential information of the disclosing party; or is obtained rightfully from a third party not bound by an obligation of confidentiality. Additionally, nothing in this contract or order shall restrict disclosure by the receiving party pursuant to any applicable law, including but not limited to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, et seq., or an order of any court of competent jurisdiction, provided that in either such case the receiving party gives prompt notice to the disclosing party to allow the disclosing party to interpose an objection to such disclosure, take action to assure confidential handling of the confidential information, or take such other action as it deems appropriate to protect its confidential information.
(B) The Government considers and hereby identifies as confidential any and all information related to any inquiries and/or searches performed by the Government or by contractor at the Government's direction under this contract or order, including the subject of any such inquiry or search and any and all search terms, regardless of whether provided in writing or orally to Contractor, and Contractor agrees that it may only disclose such information to its employees and contractors on a “need-to-know” basis to carry out the obligations of this contract or order and that it will not share, reveal, divulge, disclose, disseminate, or publicize any such information to any third party except as provided in this provision without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Contractor also understands and agrees that any subcontractors performing under this contract or order are subject to the same stipulations and that Contractor may be held responsible for any violations of confidentiality by a subcontractor.
(C) These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter an employee's obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by Executive orders and statutory provisions relating to whistleblower protection are incorporated into this contract and are controlling.
(D) The Government may share the terms, conditions and prices set forth in this Order with, and provide a copy of the Order to, other Executive branch agencies of the U.S. Government, provided that the Government shall ensure that other Executive branch agencies to which it provides such information will be required to treat all such information consistent with terms and conditions set forth in this Order.
(E) Notwithstanding anything in this agreement, the Government may retain any confidential information as required by law, regulation, or its internal document retention procedures for legal, regulatory, or compliance purposes; provided, however, that all such retained confidential information will continue to be subject to the confidentiality obligations of this Order.
(xv) Authorized users. Authorized users may include full and part-time employees of the Government, including those working at or from remote locations, and contractors and contractor employees working within the scope of their contract with the Government, including those at or from remote locations.
(xvi) Authorized use. Authorized users are authorized to use the product or service acquired under this contract in performing business on behalf of the Government. Any information obtained or acquired by the Government under this contract may be used by the Government in the performance of Government business.
(2) If any language, provision, or clause of this agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the preceding paragraph (w)(1), the language, provisions, or clause of paragraph (w)(1) shall prevails to the extent of such inconsistency.
2852.222-70   Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking.
As prescribed in JAR 2822.101-70, insert the following clause:
(a) It is DOJ policy to enhance workplace awareness of and safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This policy is summarized in “ DOJ Policy Statement 1200.02, Federal Workforce Responses to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking,” available in full for public viewing at: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/ovw/legacy/2013/12/19/federal-workplacee-responses-to-domesticeviolence-sexualassault-stalking.pdf.
Vendor agrees, upon contract award, to provide notice of this Policy Statement, including at a minimum the above-listed URL, to all Vendor employees and employees of subcontractors who will be assigned to work on DOJ premises.
(b) Upon contract award, DOJ will provide the Contractor with the name and contact information of the point of contact for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking for the component or components where the Contractor will be performing. The Contractor agrees to inform its employees and employees of subcontractors, who will be assigned to work on DOJ premises, with the name and contact information of the point of contact for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
2852.223-70   Unsafe Conditions Due to the Presence of Hazardous Material.
As prescribed in JAR 2823.303-70, insert the following clause:
(a) “Unsafe condition” as used in this clause means the actual or potential exposure of Contractor or Government employees to a hazardous material.
(b) “Hazardous Material” as used in this clause includes any material defined as hazardous under the latest version of Federal Standard No. 313 (including revisions adopted during the term of the contract), any other potentially hazardous material requiring safety controls, or any other material or working condition designated as hazardous by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
(c) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for issuing and administering regulations that require Contractors to apprise its employees of all hazards to which they may be exposed in the course of their employment; proper conditions and precautions for safe use and exposure; and related symptoms and emergency treatment in the event of exposure.
(d) Prior to commencement of work, Contractors are required to inspect for and report to the Contracting Officer the presence of, or suspected presence of, any unsafe condition including asbestos or other hazardous materials or working conditions in areas in which they will be working.
(e) If during the performance of the work under this contract, the Contractor or any of its employees, or subcontractor employees, discovers the existence of an unsafe condition, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer, or designee (with written notice provided not later than three (3) working days thereafter), of the existence of an unsafe condition. Such notice shall include the Contractor's recommendations for the protection and the safety of Government, Contractor and subcontractor personnel and property that may be exposed to the unsafe condition.
(f) When the Government receives notice of an unsafe condition from the Contractor, the parties will agree on a course of action to mitigate the effects of that condition and, if necessary, the contract will be amended. Failure to agree on a course of action will constitute a dispute under the Disputes clause of this contract.
(g) Nothing contained in this clause shall relieve the Contractor or subcontractors from complying with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances and regulations (including the obtaining of licenses and permits) in connection with hazardous material including but not limited to the use, disturbance, or disposal of such material.
2852.233-70   Protests Filed Directly with the Department of Justice.
As prescribed in JAR 2833.102(d), insert a clause substantially as follows:
(a) The following definitions apply in this provision:
(1) “Agency Protest Official” (APO) means the Deciding Official for a procurement protest filed with a contracting activity of DOJ when the contracting officer will not be the Deciding Official because of the protestor's election under JAR 2833.103(b)
(2) “Deciding Official” means the official who will review and decide a procurement protest filed with the agency. The Deciding Official will be the contracting officer unless the protestor requests pursuant to JAR 2833.103(b) that the protest be decided by an individual above the level of the contracting officer, in which case the HCA will designate an APO to serve as the Deciding Official.
(3) “Interested Party” means an actual or prospective offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of a contract or by the failure to award a contract.
(b) Only interested parties may file a protest.
(c) An interested party filing a protest with the DOJ has the choice of requesting either that the Contracting Officer or the APO decide the protest.
(d) A protest filed directly with the DOJ shall:
(1) Indicate that it is a protest to DOJ.
(2) Be filed with the Contracting Officer.
(3) State whether the protestor chooses to have the Contracting Officer or the Agency Protest Official decide the protest. If the protestor is silent on this matter, the Contracting Officer will decide the protest.
(4) Indicate whether the protestor prefers to make an oral or written presentation of arguments in support of the protest to the deciding official.
(5) Include the information required by FAR 33.103(d)(2):
(i) Name, address, facsimile number and telephone number of the protestor.
(ii) Solicitation or contract number.
(iii) Detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds for the protest, to include a description of resulting prejudice to the protestor.
(iv) Copies of relevant documents.
(v) Request for a ruling by the agency.
(vi) Statement as to the form of relief requested.
(vii) All information establishing that the protestor is an interested party for the purpose of filing a protest.
(viii) All information establishing the timeliness of the protest.
(e) The decision by the APO is an alternative to a decision by the Contracting Officer. The APO will not consider appeals from the Contracting Officer's decision on an agency protest and a decision by the APO is final and not appealable.
(f) The Deciding Official may conduct a scheduling conference. The scheduling conference, if conducted, will establish deadlines for oral or written arguments in support of the agency protest and for agency officials to present information in response to the protest issues. The deciding official may hear oral arguments in support of the agency protest at the same time as the scheduling conference, depending on availability of the necessary parties.
(g) Oral conferences may take place either by telephone or in person.
(h) The protestor has only one opportunity to support or explain the substance of its protest. DOJ procedures do not provide for any discovery. The deciding official may request additional information from the agency or the protestor. The deciding official will resolve the protest through informal presentations or meetings to the maximum extent practicable.
(i) A protestor may represent itself or be represented by legal counsel. The DOJ will not reimburse the protester for any legal fees related to the agency protest.
(j) The DOJ will stay award or suspend contract performance in accordance with FAR 33.103(f), unless the contract award is justified, in writing, for urgent and compelling reasons or is determined, in writing, to be in the best interest of the Government. The justification or determination shall be approved at a level above the Contracting Officer. The stay or suspension, unless over-ridden, remains in effect until the protest is decided, dismissed, or withdrawn.
(k) The deciding official will make a best effort to issue a decision on the protest within thirty-five (35) days after the filing date. The decision shall be written, and provided to the protestor using a method that provides for evidence of receipt.
(l) The DOJ may dismiss or stay proceedings on an agency protest if a protest on the same or similar basis is filed with a forum outside DOJ.