Bid Protests Increase Again Bid protests filed with the Government Accountability Office jumped by 20% in fiscal 2009, according to GAO’s annual report. It was the second straight year of double-digit increases. Some federal acquisition officials have expressed concern that contractors were filing more protests as part of a business strategy to gather intelligence and put pressure on contracting officers. High-profile protests, such as the one on GSA’s Alliant governmentwide acquisition contract, fed those fears. However, GAO said half of the increased caseload resulted from an expansion of its jurisdiction. Beginning in 2008, protests are permitted concerning large task orders; Transportation Security Administration contracts; and federal employees involved in public-private job competitions. Of the 1,989 protests filed last year, 315 went to a decision. Just 18% of protests were sustained, down from 21% the year before.