All bidders and offerors are prohibited from directly or indirectly communicating with the City's elected officials regarding the bidder's or offeror's qualifications or the award of a contract, except in connection with an inquiry from the evaluation committee. Bidders and offerors are prohibited from contacting City staff members regarding their qualifications or the award of a contract, unless in response to an inquiry from a staff or evaluation committee member. Any violation may result, in the sole discretion of the Purchasing Agent, or designee, in immediate disqualification of the bidder or offeror from the selection process. (Ord. 17-14)