1. (a) Award.

   1. (1) After a reasonable bid evaluation period, the bid shall be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who has submitted the lowest bid that meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.
   2. (2) All bids may be rejected if, after evaluation of the bids, including consideration of any clarifying or explanatory information submitted by the bidders, it is determined by the procurement official that no satisfactory bid has been received.

2. (b) Negotiation.

   1. (1) In the event that negotiation is necessary, a bidder may be determined to be nonresponsive if the bidder and agency are unable to reach a mutually agreeable negotiated adjustment.
   2. (2) If negotiations fail or the agency is unable to reach a negotiated adjustment with the apparent low bidder, the next lowest bidder can be contacted for the purposes of entering into negotiations.
3. (c) “Trained and certified in negotiation and procurement process” means the person will have received certified training from or authorized by the Office of State Procurement.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as R11:19-11-229 of the Procurement Rules prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules.