1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to state government; providing an exception 
  1.3             to the bid solicitation process for certain 
  1.4             professional services; amending Minnesota Statutes 
  1.5             1998, section 16C.10, by adding a subdivision. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 16C.10, is 
  1.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 7.  [PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.] Notwithstanding anything 
  1.10  to the contrary in this chapter, the commissioner must acquire 
  1.11  professional services defined in sections 326.02 to 326.15 on 
  1.12  the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the 
  1.13  type of service required.  An agency may solicit or use pricing 
  1.14  policies and proposals or other pricing information to determine 
  1.15  consultants' compensation only after the agency has selected a 
  1.16  candidate based strictly on demonstrated competence and 
  1.17  qualifications.  The agency shall attempt to negotiate a 
  1.18  contract at a fair and reasonable price with the most qualified 
  1.19  firm and if a satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated shall 
  1.20  commence negotiations with the next qualified firm and continue 
  1.21  the process until a fair and reasonable contract is entered into.