WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 662

(b) (1) Whenever a procurement is based on noncompetitive negotiation, a unit
shall publish a request for general expressions of interest.

(2) A request for general expressions of interest shall:

(i) state the general requirement for services;

(ii) request interested service providers to respond in writing with
general expressions of interest; and

(iii) be published in the same manner as required for an invitation for

bids.

(c) (1) To satisfy all or part of the requirements of the State as they occur, and
without additional advertising, the procurement officer may conduct discussions with any
responsible service provider who has submitted an expression of interest.

(2) As far as practicable in the course of administering a program, the unit
shall treat fairly and equally with respect to discussions all responsible service providers
who have submitted expressions of interest.

(d) After obtaining any approval required by law, the unit may award a
procurement contract if the head of the unit determines, on the basis of continuing
discussions or past program experience, that an award will serve the best interests of the
State.

(e) A unit shall publish in the Maryland Register notice of a procurement
contract awarded under this section.]

14-208.

(A)     Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary of General
Services, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Chancellor of the University of
Maryland System each shall submit a report on the operation and effectiveness of the
Small Business Preference Program to[:

(1)] the Board [; and

(2)]

(B)     WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF ALL REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE BOARD SHALL COMPILE THE INFORMATION
AND REPORT ON THE ENTIRE SMALL BUSINESS PREFERENCE PROGRAM TO the
Legislative Policy Committee, subject to § 2-1312 of the State Government Article.

15 -111.

[(d) Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Department of Budget
and Fiscal Planning shall submit to the Board and the General Assembly a report on each
class of procurement for which the procedure for noncompetitive negotiated procurement
has been approved under § 13-106 of this article.]

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