1. (a) Any procurement by a unit of goods, supplies, services, maintenance, construction, construction-related services, architectural services, and engineering services shall be eligible for designation for the small business reserve.
2. (b) A solicitation for procurement that has been designated for a small business reserve shall be published in the same manner as required for an invitation for bids as set forth in § 13-103(c) of this article.

3. (c) The procurement officer of a unit shall award a procurement contract designated for a small business reserve to the small business that submits a responsive bid or a proposal that is reasonably susceptible of being selected for award that:

   1. (1) is the lowest bid price;
   2. (2) if the invitation for bids so provides, is the lowest evaluated bid price; or
   3. (3) is the bid or proposal most favorable to the State within the small business reserve.

Added by Acts 2004, c. 75, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2004. Amended by Acts 2007, c. 514, § 1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2010, c. 22, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2017, c. 438, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2025, c. 601, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.