Rest API "&" ampersand

Rest API "&" ampersand

Trying to pass a url to the description portion of request but can't escape an ampersand that is in the url. 
So far I've tried "%26" -  & and also &
Any ideas?
 
IE
 
<description> http://xxxxxxx:8080/efm/client/workflow/submittedform?sref=dedf5d4c269a5ed9873b1412a31d111
&e bid=26 </description>
 
 
- < operation name =" ADD_REQUEST ">
- < result >
  < status > Failed </ status >
  < message > Error when performing - ADD_REQUEST - XML document structures must start and end within the same entity. </ message >
  </ result >
  </ operation >