In this article, Scott Flesch and Matteo Amerigo de Laurentiis* discuss why federal contractors must be prepared to intervene quickly and strategically in bid protest litigation to protect their awarded contracts. They explain that intervention – while not automatic – is the most effective way for successful offerors to defend their interests, especially given the fast-moving timelines at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Court of Federal Claims (COFC). Flesch and de Laurentiis emphasize the importance of retaining experienced protest counsel early, accessing protected information, and proactively engaging in the process to influence outcomes and avoid losing hard-won awards.

*Summer Associate