(a) Prior to the issuance of a request for proposal (RFP), request for interest in qualification (RFIQ), or invitation for bid (IFB), and ending on the date of the selection of the contractor, no person or entity submitting a proposal in response to the RFP, RFIQ, or IFB, nor any officer, employee, representative, agent, or consultant representing the proposer shall contact by any means or engage in any discussion concerning the award of the contract with any board member or his or her staff. Any contact shall be grounds for the disqualification of the proposer.
(b) A board member who receives any communication from a proposer in violation of this chapter shall report that communication to the inspector general. The inspector general shall forward this information to the director of contracts and responsible procurement staff.
(c) Board members shall not meet with a person or entity who submitted a proposal in response to the RFP, RFIQ, or IFB, nor any officer, employee, representative, agent, or consultant representing the proposer regarding a protest submitted regarding the recommended contract award or any lawsuit or potential lawsuit regarding the recommended contract award.
(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 900, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1998.)