Right to Protest. Any actual or prospective bidder, offeror, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract may protest to the city council. Protestors are urged to seek resolution of their complaints initially with the purchasing agent. A protest with respect to an invitation for bids or request for proposals shall be submitted in writing prior to the opening of bids or the closing date of proposals, unless the aggrieved person did not know or reasonably would not have known of the facts giving rise to such protest prior to bid opening or the closing date for proposals. The protest shall be submitted within three calendar days after such aggrieved person knows or reasonably would have known of the facts giving rise thereto.
Stay of Procurements During Protests. In the event of a timely protest under this section, the purchasing agent shall not proceed further with the solicitation or award of the contract until all administrative and judicial remedies have been exhausted or until the city council makes a determination on the record that the award of a contract without delay is necessary to protect substantial interests of the City.
Entitlement to Costs. In addition to any other relief, when a protest is sustained and the protesting bidder or offeror should have been awarded the contract under the solicitation but is not, then the protesting bidder or offeror shall be entitled to the reasonable costs incurred in connection with the solicitation, including bid preparation costs other than attorney's fees.