Section 3-148-201 - Informal request for explanation(a) In order to promote more efficient dispute resolution, any applicant may informally request an explanation or justification for a purchasing agency's award of a contract or apparent failure to follow the procedures established for the award of a contract.(b)Response by purchasing agencies. Purchasing agencies may respond as practicable to informal requests for explanations. The failure of a purchasing agency to respond to an informal request shall not be grounds for a formal protest or objection.(c)No extension of protest period. An informal request made under this section shall not extend the running of the protest period established by section 103F-501, HRS, and sections 3-148-301 and 3-148-401.(d)No expansion of rights and remedies. The sole purpose of this section is to provide a mechanism for informal explanations to be requested by applicants and given by purchasing agencies. This section shall not be construed to expand the scope of the protest rights and remedies established by chapter 103F, HRS.[Eff JUN 19 1999] (Auth: HRS § 103F-106) (Imp: HRS §§ 103F-501 - 103F-504)