For DIR contracts valued between $1M and $5M, how many vendors must receive a price request?

For contracts valued between $1 million and $5 million under the Department of Information Resources (DIR), it is mandated that a minimum of six vendors receive a price request. This requirement is in place to ensure competitive pricing and to foster a fair bidding process among multiple vendors. By soliciting bids from at least six vendors, the state enhances the opportunity to leverage better pricing and innovative solutions, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement.

This approach aligns with best practices in procurement, ensuring that contracts are awarded following an equitable competitive process where various options are evaluated before making a final decision. The requirement for six vendors encourages a diverse range of proposals, benefitting the contracting agency and taxpayers by optimizing the value obtained from public expenditure.