Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral candidates wrestled for the title of reformer yesterday, as two challengers struck at Mayor Luke Ravenstahl over contracts awarded to political donors, and the incumbent parried with his efforts to fix what he terms a perception problem.

"We have to wake up and smell the coffee," Councilman Patrick Dowd urged, after giving some 30 Grant Street passers-by cups of Bruegger's java, decorated with stickers advertising his campaign Web site. "This administration is for sale, each and every day that it's in office, and we the citizens of Pittsburgh are being hurt each and every day."

The mayor countered with his legislation to cap campaign contributions, a January pledge to make all contracting competitive by April 15, and a commission that's seeking out the nation's best contracting practices.

"So I disagree with the councilman, and it's not for sale," Mr. Ravenstahl said of his administration. "I believe we're doing some good things in the city, and so I'm not sure exactly what his proposal is, but I would highly object to his claims that the administration is for sale."

Mr. Dowd didn't detail his plans, other than to say that he'll "ban no-bid contracts for political contributors" -- a less comprehensive pledge than the mayor's order eliminating non-competitive contracting.

"I'm sure at some point we will also say that we will have no no-bid contracts" except in emergencies, Mr. Dowd said.

He said he'll detail his stance on campaign donations today. Council meets at 1:30 p.m. to discuss Mr. Ravenstahl's proposal to put a $4,600 cap on contributions by individuals and partnerships to any given campaign, and a $10,000 limit on political action committee donations.

Mr. Dowd said he wants Internet disclosure of contracts and contributions. Controller Michael Lamb has been working toward that since December.

Attorney Carmen Robinson, also a Democratic mayoral challenger, said she thinks that "the [mayor's] office has become for sale. If you look at the mayor's war chest, it certainly does look like that."

Mr. Ravenstahl reported having nearly $1 million in his campaign account in mid-January, and some top donors do business with the city.

Ms. Robinson said the contribution limits proposed by the mayor are too high. "Setting those caps even lower ensures that people are voting for the candidate because of the issues and not because of the amount of money that can be raised."

She said the city should seek multiple firms' qualifications and price quotes before awarding contracts for services.

Professional services -- including legal, financial, engineering and architectural work -- aren't subject to state laws requiring that contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder, and have historically been dished out after subjective processes or by fiat.

Mr. Dowd rattled off some of the year's news stories, suggesting that the administration paid too much for trash cans and firehouse ventilation systems bought through the state, allowed billboard firms that later made campaign contributions to put up signs Downtown, and paid high fees to politically connected firms on a $414 million Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority debt deal. He referenced a Sunday Post-Gazette story featuring timelines of contract awards and contributions to various officials.

"If you connect the dots, the story is very simple," he said. "The mayor has a million-dollar war chest, so-called, because he's willing to give no-bid contracts and sweet deals to campaign contributors."

Mr. Dowd didn't rule out taking contributions from firms seeking work from the city or the water authority, where he is a board member. He raised just $150 last year, but his 2007 council campaign was funded in part with checks from the executives or political action committees of law firms Reed Smith and Thorp Reed and Armstrong, the former Mellon Financial Corp. and Oxford Development -- all of which do business with the city or its authorities.

Mr. Ravenstahl's campaign released a statement calling Mr. Dowd "a desperate politician willing to do or say anything to get elected."

The debate on the mayor's contribution bill now shifts to council, where Councilman William Peduto plans to amend it. He wants lower contribution limits, a legislated ban on no-bid contracts of more than $25,000 and an online database of contributions and contracts.

"I will not vote for a bill that does not contain all three of them," he said.