A contract may be awarded for a supply, service, or construction item without competition when, under regulations promulgated by the board, the chief procurement officer, the head of a purchasing agency, or a designee of either officer, above the level of the procurement officer, determines in writing that there is only one source for the required supply, service, or construction item.

These regulations must include the requirements contained in this paragraph. Written documentation must include the determination and basis for the proposed sole source procurement. Any delegation of authority by either the chief procurement officer or the head of a governmental body with respect to sole source determinations must be submitted in writing to the materials management officer. In cases of reasonable doubt, competition must be solicited. Any decision by a governmental body that a procurement be restricted to one potential vendor must be accompanied by an explanation as to why no other will be suitable or acceptable to meet the need.

Any violation of these regulations by a purchasing agency shall, upon recommendation of the Office of General Services with approval of the majority of the Budget and Control Board, result in the temporary suspension not to exceed one year of the violating agency's ability to procure supplies, services, or construction items under this section.