1. (a) In awarding a contract to provide group benefits under this chapter, the trustee is not required to select the lowest bid and may consider also any relevant criteria, including the bidder's:

   1. (1) ability to service contracts;
   2. (2) past experiences; and
   3. (3) financial stability.
2. (b) If the trustee awards a contract to a bidder whose bid deviates from that advertised, the trustee shall record the deviation and fully justify the reason for the deviation in the minutes of the next board meeting.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.471(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.