Global Interpreting Network, Inc. v. New Mexico General Services Department

This case arose from the New Mexico General Services Department’s administration of Request for Proposal No. 40-00000-24-00076, a multi-state solicitation for remote and in-person interpretation and translation services. The solicitation authorized the State Purchasing Agent to issue clarifications through formal addenda and required all offerors to submit responses in strict compliance with mandatory formatting and content requirements. After Global Interpreting Network, Inc. failed to comply with those requirements, the company was disqualified from further consideration.

Although Global received written notice of its disqualification on August 26, 2025, and acknowledged the submission error, it did not file a formal protest until thirty-five days later—well beyond the fifteen-day deadline established by New Mexico procurement regulations. After the State Purchasing Agent denied the protest as untimely, Global appealed the decision to the First Judicial District Court pursuant to Rule 1-074 NMRA.

Following a hearing on the merits, the District Court issued its Final Order on July 20, 2026, affirming the State Purchasing Agent’s decision in its entirety. The Court rejected Global’s argument that automated email acknowledgments tolled the protest deadline and concluded that the State Purchasing Agent’s determinations were supported by substantial evidence, were neither arbitrary nor capricious, and fully complied with New Mexico procurement law.

The Court’s decision reaffirmed the importance of adherence to mandatory procurement requirements and filing deadlines while upholding the integrity of New Mexico’s competitive procurement process.