The department shall consider any protest or objection regarding the award of a contract, whether submitted before or after the award, provided that the protest is filed within the time period established in the request for proposals, made pursuant to Section 2016. All protests or objections shall be filed in writing. The protesting party shall be notified in writing of the final decision on the protest, and the notification shall set forth the rationale upon which the decision is based.
Ca. Welf. and Inst. Code § 2018