Losing bidders file restraining order against city over airport contracts

Channel 2 Action News has leaed several companies who lost out on airport concessions contracts are now asking a judge to block leaders at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Inteational Airport from signing deals with the winning vendors.

Late Friday, an attoey representing three of the losing bidders, Midfield Concessions Enterprises, Take-Off Concessions and Atlanta Airport Restaurants, filed a request for a temporary restraining order.

Many of the losing vendors began protesting the faiess of the selection process before the City Council even voted. They criticized the city for cancelling the first round of bids after they were submitted and starting the process over again, presumably to save some politically connected bidders with errors in their bid packages from being disqualified.

The contracts are expected to generate an estimated $3 billion in revenue over 10 years.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed already signed the legislation. The city deadline for the protest period is the close of business on Tuesday, so after that, the airport could move forward with signing those contracts at any time.

The three companies are claiming the city's process by which losing bidders can appeal is unfair and unconstitutional.