he form to the Ethics Commission, in a Portable Document Format (PDF) or other electronic format pre-approved by the Ethics Commission, within ten business days of receiving the form from the contractor. The awarding authority must also comply with the reporting requirements in Section 49.5.11 B. d. This provision does not apply to the exercise of an option that has been previously approved in a written contract. 6. Business Assistance Virtual Network. In the event that the City’s Business Assistance Virtual Network or similar electronic system is used by a bidder to submit the forms required by this section to the awarding authority and the Business Assistance Virtual Network or similar electronic system sends the submitted data and the forms to the Ethics Commission, the awarding authority shall not be required to submit the form to the Ethics Commission. C. Violations and Debarment. 1. In addition to any other penalties or remedies established by this Article, a person who is found to have violated or aided and abetted a violation of this Section or Charter Section 470 (c)(12) shall not be eligible to bid on or be considered for a contract, extension, or amendment unless the Ethics Commission, as a body, determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. Debarment also applies to an entity that has the same or similar management, ownership, or principal employees as the debarred person and is organized after the proceeding that results in the person’s debarment has been initiated. 2. The Ethics Commission, as a body, shall determine whether mitigating circumstances apply whenever a violation of this Section or Charter Section 470 (c)(12) is determined to have occurred. If the Ethics Commission determines that mitigating circumstances do not exist, the person found to be in violation shall be debarred for the following periods of time after the Ethics Commission’s determination: a. One year for the first violation; b. Two years for the second violation; c. Three years for the third violation; and d. Four years for the fourth and subsequent violations. 3. The Ethics Commission may adopt regulations regarding mitigating circumstances, including what constitutes mitigating circumstances and any other information determined to be necessary. 4.