Section 10306.

Whenever a contract or purchase order under this article is not to be awarded to the lowest bidder, the bidder shall be notified 24 hours prior to awarding the contract or purchase order to another bidder. Upon written request by any bidder who has submitted a bid, notice of the proposed award shall be posted in a public place in the offices of the department at least 24 hours prior to awarding the contract or purchase order. If prior to making the award, any bidder who has submitted a bid files a protest with the department against the awarding of the contract or purchase order on the ground that he or she is the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications, the contract or purchase order shall not be awarded until either the protest has been withdrawn or the State Board of Control has made a final decision as to the action to be taken relative to the protest. In computing the 24-hour periods provided for in this section, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded.

Within 10 days after filing a protest, the protesting bidder shall file with the State Board of Control a full and complete written statement specifying in detail the ground of the protest and the facts in support thereof.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 918, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)