1. (a) The unit may designate, for the Small Business Preference Program, procurement of certain supplies, services, or construction related services that have been requested through or with the approval of the head of the unit.
2. (b) The invitation for bids on a procurement that has been designated for a small business preference shall be sent to small businesses and regular bidders to establish a reasonable price range commensurate with current market conditions.

3. (c) A unit shall award a procurement contract designated for a small business preference to the small business that:

   1. (1) is a responsible bidder; and
   2. (2) submits the lowest responsive bid from a small business if the difference between that bid and the lowest responsive bid submitted by a responsible bidder who is not a small business does not exceed the percentage preference established under § 14-206 of this subtitle.

Added by Acts 1988, c. 48, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1988. Amended by Acts 1988, c. 246, § 4, eff. July 1, 1988; Acts 1989, c. 5, § 9, eff. March 9, 1989; Acts 1997, c. 114, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 2024, c. 653, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.