(d)(4) When an agency protest is denied, an offeror may request an independent review by the SCO. See Agency Level Protest Summary Dismissal template.

(h) The contracting officer must prepare the protest file following an agency protest (including a protest of a non-appropriated funds procurement) regardless of the level at which the protest is filed. The contracting officer must request guidance from the cognizant HCA for any protest likely to generate significant Congressional interest. The decision to deny a protest must be made at a level no lower than that at which the protest was filed. Protests may be sustained at any level in the review process, with the concurrence of the cognizant legal office.