If a person appeals the decision of a unit about a protest, the Appeals Board shall: give that case priority over other matters not involving protests before the Appeals Board; and decide it expeditiously. For any appeal, the Appeals Board may require each party to file a brief. If briefs are required, the Appeals Board shall establish the order and time limits for filing briefs after consultation with both parties. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, in a case before the Appeals Board, a party may obtain discovery about any matter that: is not privileged; and is relevant to the subject matter involved in that case. In an appeal from a decision about a protest, discovery shall be limited to requests for the production of documents unless the Appeals Board determines that extraordinary circumstances require additional limited discovery to avoid substantial unfairness or prejudice. In an appeal from a decision about a contract claim, unless both parties agree to a longer period, the Appeals Board shall issue its final decision within 180 days after the day on which: all briefs have been filed; or if later, the record has been closed.