41-2538. Competitive selection procedures for certain professional services

A. The services specified in section 41-2513 shall be procured in accordance with this section, except as authorized under section 41-2535, 41-2536 or 41-2537.

B. Persons engaged in providing the types of services specified in section 41-2513 may submit statements of qualifications and expressions of interest in providing such types of services. The director may specify a uniform format for statements of qualifications. Persons may amend these statements at any time by filing a new statement.

C. Adequate notice of the need for such services shall be given by the purchasing agency through a request for proposals. The request for proposals shall describe the services required and list the type of information and data required of each offeror.

D. The head of the purchasing agency or a designee of such officer may conduct discussions with any offerors who submit a proposal to determine the offeror's qualifications for further consideration. Discussions shall not disclose any information derived from proposals submitted by other offerors.

E. The award shall be made to the offeror determined in writing by the head of the purchasing agency or a designee of such officer to be best qualified based on the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals and after a written determination that the compensation is fair and reasonable. Selection may be made pursuant to the provisions of this section without requiring priced proposals, but if price is included in proposals submitted, no contract may be awarded solely on the basis of price.