Two of the Springfield courthouse bidders who lost out to a group that includes the husband of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley are calling upon the state Inspector General to investigate the contract award process as the parties head to Hampden Superior Court on Tuesday.

“We believe the bid process, and the resulting award, warrants an immediate investigation by your Office under its charge to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the use of public assets,” Felicia Ellsworth an attorney at WilmerHale wrote on behalf of Springfield businessmen Jeb Balise and Dinesh Patel.

Balise and Patel submitted separate competing bids but have now joined together to challenge the state’s contract decision.