For contracts with the State of Arizona or any State agency, be sure to follow the Arizona Procurement Code. A.R.S. § 41-2501 et seq. and associated regulations.
The Code includes numerous provisions governing State contracts and disputes (including bid protests). The Code sets forth the exclusive remedy for asserting any claim against the State or State agency related to procurement. A.R.S. § 41-2615.
Depending on what agency is involved, there may be procedures for the agency itself to address a bid protest, including deadlines to submit and respond to the protest. Ultimately protests are usually decided at the administrative level by the Director of the Department of Administration. The Department of Administration is the State agency charged with overseeing most State and State agency procurement matters. Once a final decision has been made by the Director of the Department of Administration, any interested party (e.g. the State agency, the winning bidder or the losing bidder) may seek judicial review within 35 days of the Director’s final decision.