7-32-2233. Requests for contract proposals. (1) A local government seeking to enter into a contract under 7-32-2201 and 7-32-2232 may publish a request for proposals. The request for proposals must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for 3 successive weeks and must include information concerning the type of detention center services required.

(2) Requests for proposals must be sent to persons who have previously requested that their names be placed on a list of persons providing detention center services. The Montana board of crime control shall maintain a list of persons providing detention center services and furnish the list to a local government upon request.

(3) In selecting a proposal and awarding a contract, a local government need not accept the proposal with the lowest cost.

(4) The local government must base its selection on demonstrated competence, knowledge and qualifications, the reasonableness of the services proposed, and the reasonableness of the proposed contract price for the detention center services.

(5) A copy of all proposals must be kept available for public inspection in the office of the county clerk and recorder.

(6) The local government must give specific reasons for its selection of a proposal. The reasons must be recorded in the minutes of the governing body of the local government.