(a) Commencing with 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 publicly released, recommended selection of the contractor, a person or entity submitting a proposal in response to the RFP, RFIQ, or IFB, or any officer, employee, representative, agent, or consultant representing the proposer or bidder, shall not contact by any means or engage in any discussion concerning the award of the contract with any board member or their staff. Any contact shall be grounds for the disqualification of the proposer or bidder.
(b) A board member who receives any communication from a proposer or bidder in violation of this chapter shall report that communication to the inspector general.
(c) During the period identified in this section, board members shall not communicate with a proposer or bidder or with any officer, employee, representative, or agent of the proposer or bidder regarding a contract award, protest, or any lawsuit or potential lawsuit regarding the contract award.