What must be submitted by the agency to the GAO upon the filing of a protest?

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The correct choice is a complete protest report, which must be submitted by the agency to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) upon the filing of a protest. This report is essential because it provides a comprehensive account of the procurement process and details the facts and circumstances surrounding the protested contract award. The protest report includes the agency's response to the protest, documentation related to the procurement, and the rationale for the agency's decision. This information is critical for the GAO to assess the validity of the protest and make an informed decision on the matter.

The other options, while important in different contexts, are not directly required in response to a protest at the GAO. A financial audit report pertains to the financial accountability of the agency but does not address the specifics of the protest. A statement of compliance is generally relevant to meeting regulatory standards but does not specifically relate to the process of addressing a protest. A contingency operation plan relates to planning for unforeseen events and not to the procedural requirements of responding to a protest. Hence, the submission of a complete protest report is the appropriate action to ensure a thorough review by the GAO.