Section 3-148-504 - Conduct of the head of purchasing agency during protests(a) During the resolution of a protest proceeding under this chapter, the head of a purchasing agency shall conduct him or herself as a neutral and impartial party. If the head of a purchasing agency cannot meet this standard of conduct because of a conflict of interest arising from the head's involvement in the protested procurement, or other good cause, the head shall designate another state employee to act in his or her place.(b)Communications with the head. Neither the protestor nor the procurement officer in charge of the protested procurement shall communicate with the head of the purchasing agency in connection with the merits of a protest without first informing the other. The head of the purchasing agency shall not communicate singly with either the protestor or the procurement officer in charge of the protested procurement as to the merits of the protest without first informing the other.[Eff JUN 19 1999] (Auth: HRS § 103F-106) (Imp: HRS § 103F-501)