(a)
The board of directors shall acquire electronic data processing and telecommunications goods and services with a cost to the district of more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) through competitive means, except when the board determines either that (1) the goods and services proposed for acquisition are the only goods and services which can meet the district’s need, or (2) the goods and services are needed in cases of emergency where immediate acquisition is necessary for the protection of the public health, welfare, or safety.
(b)
As used in this section, “competitive means” includes any appropriate means specified by the board, including, but not limited to, the preparation and circulation of a request for a proposal to an adequate number of qualified sources, as determined by the board in its discretion, to permit reasonable competition consistent with the nature and requirements of the proposed acquisition.
(c)
When the board awards a contract through competitive means pursuant to this section, the contract award shall be based on the proposal which provides the most cost-effective solution to the district’s requirements, as determined by the evaluation criteria specified by the board. The evaluation criteria may provide for the selection of a vendor on an objective basis other than cost alone.