(a) Upon receipt of a protest, the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services may:
  (1) dismiss the protest if:
    (A) it is not timely; or
    (B) it does not meet the requirements of §391.305 of this subchapter (relating to Filing of a Protest);
  (2) solicit written responses to the protest from other interested parties; or
  (3) attempt to resolve the protest by mutual agreement.
(b) The Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services may confer with the HHSC Chief Counsel at any time during the review of the protest.
(c) If the protest is not dismissed or resolved by mutual agreement, the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services will issue a written determination on the protest.
  (1) If the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services determines that no violation of the specific statutory or regulatory provision cited by the protestant has occurred, they shall so inform the protestant and other interested parties by letter that sets forth the reasons for the determination.
  (2) If the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services determines that HHS violated the specific statutory or regulatory provision cited by the protestant in a case where HHS has not awarded a contract, they shall so inform the protestant and other interested parties by letter that sets forth the reasons for the determination and any appropriate remedial action.
  (3) If the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services determines that HHS violated the specific statutory or regulatory provision cited by the protestant in a case where HHS awarded a contract, they shall so inform the protestant and other interested parties by letter that sets forth the reasons for the determination, which may include ordering the contract void.
  (4) The Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services' written determination is the final administrative action by HHSC on a protest filed under this subchapter unless the protestant files an appeal of the determination under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) The protestant may appeal the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services' determination on a protest to the HHSC Executive Commissioner. The appeal must be in writing and submitted by electronic mail to HHSCExecutiveCommissioner@hhs.texas.gov no later than 10 business days after the date of the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services' determination. The appeal shall be limited to review of the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services' determination. The protestant must mail or deliver copies of the appeal to other interested parties, and each copy must contain a certified statement that such copies have been provided.
  (1) A protest or appeal that is not timely filed shall not be considered unless good cause for delay is shown or the HHSC Executive Commissioner determines that an appeal raises issues that are significant to HHSC's procurement practices or procedures in general.
  (2) The HHSC Executive Commissioner may confer with the HHSC Chief Counsel at any time during the review of the appeal.
  (3) The HHSC Executive Commissioner will review the appeal of the Deputy Executive Commissioner of Procurement and Contracting Services' determination and render a final decision on the protest issues.
  (4) A decision issued in writing by the HHSC Executive Commissioner shall be the final administrative action of HHSC on a protest determination that is appealed under this subchapter.

Source Note: The provisions of this §391.307 adopted to be effective May 12, 2021, 46 TexReg 3017