A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, a person who is an actual or prospective bidder, offeror, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with a procurement or award of a contract may protest to the department head as follows:
1. With respect to an invitation for bids or a request for proposals:
a. Before the opening of bids or the closing date for proposals; or
b. If the person did not know and should not have known of the facts giving rise to the protest before the bid opening or the closing date for proposals, within seven (7) days after the day on which the person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest; or
2. If subsection A1a of this section does not apply, within seven (7) days after the day on which the person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest.
B. A person who is debarred or suspended under this chapter may protest the debarment or suspension to the department head that ordered the debarment, as applicable, within seven (7) days after the day on which the debarment or suspension is ordered.
C. A person who files a protest under this section shall include in the filing document:
1. The person's address of record and e-mail address of record; and
2. A concise statement of the grounds upon which the protest is made.
D. A person described in subsection A, B or C of this section who fails to timely file a protest under this section may not bring a protest, action, or appeal challenging a solicitation or award of a contract, or a debarment or suspension, before the department head, an appeals panel, a court, or any other forum.
E. The city may enter into a settlement agreement to resolve a protest. (Ord. 2014-08, 8-5-2014)