In the event of a timely protest under Section 145 [13-1-172 NMSA 1978] of the Procurement Code, the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office shall not proceed further with the procurement unless the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office makes a determination that the award of the contract is necessary to protect substantial interests of the state agency or a local public body.
History: Laws 1984, ch. 65, § 146.
ANNOTATIONSAn important goal of the Procurement Code is that protests are to be made and resolved quickly and in furtherance of protecting the public fisc and of assuring the fairness of the procurement process. James Hamilton Constr. Co. v. State ex rel. State Highway & Transp. Dep't, 2003-NMCA-067, 133 N.M. 627, 68 P.3d 173; cert. quashed, 82 P.3d 534.