10 U.S.C. § 3302 — Sealed bids

(a) Opening of Bids .— Sealed bids must be opened publicly at the time and place stated in the solicitation. (b) Criteria for Awarding Contract .— The head of the agency must evaluate the bids under section 3301(a) of this title without discussions with the bidders and, except as provided in section 3301(b) of this title , must award a contract with reasonable promptness to the responsible bidder whose bid conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the United States, considering only price and the other price-related factors included in the solicitation. (c) Notice of Award .— The award of a contract must be made by transmitting, in writing or by electronic means, notice of the award to the successful bidder. Within three days after the date of contract award, the head of the agency must notify, in writing or by electronic means, each bidder not awarded the contract that the contract has been awarded.