3352

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 840

publication in newspapers, periodicals, and trade journals, and
by any other means calculated to reach potential service
providers.]

(2) PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE REQUEST FOR GENERAL
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AND OF THE SUBSEQUENT AWARD SHALL BE
GIVEN IN THE SAME MANNER AS IS REQUIRED FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED
BIDDING UNDER § 11-110(B)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(c) (1) To satisfy all or part of the State's requirements,
as they occur and without additional advertising, the procurement
officer may conduct discussions with any responsible service
provider that has submitted an expression of interest. As far as
practicable in the course of administering a program, the
procurement agency shall accord all responsible service providers
that have submitted expressions of interest fair and equal
treatment with respect to discussions.

(2) The procurement agency may make an award if the
procurement agency head, on the basis of pending discussions or
past program experience, determines that an award will serve the
State's best interest. Award of a contract is subject to all
approvals required by Law or regulation.

[(d) Notice of any award under this section shall be
published in the Maryland Register.]

[Subtitle 3.] PART IV. Cancellation [and Rejection of
Invitations for Bids or Requests for Proposals] OF
SOLICITATIONS, REJECTION OF BIDS AND OFFERS, AND DISCLOSURE

OF INFORMATION.

[13-301.] 11-116. CANCELLATION OF SOLICITATIONS; REJECTION OF
BIDS AND OFFERS.

If the procurement officer, with the approval of the agency
head or [his] THE designee OF THE AGENCY HEAD, WITH THE APPROVAL
OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, determines that it is fiscally
advantageous or is otherwise in the STATE'S best interest [of the
State], an invitation for bids, a request for proposals, or other
solicitation may be cancelled, or all bids or proposals may be
rejected.

11-117. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.

(A)  BIDS SHALL REMAIN SEALED UNTIL THE PUBLIC BID OPENING.

(B)  BEFORE BID OPENING OR THE CLOSING DATE FOR PROPOSALS,
THE STATE MAY NOT DISCLOSE TO ANY PERSON THE NAME OF A PERSON WHO
HAS SUBMITTED A BID OR PROPOSAL.

(C)  EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
TITLE 10, SUBTITLE 6, PART III (ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS) OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, AT THE PUBLIC BID OPENING AND