§103F-203  Participation of providers.  (a)  Prior to a state agency's release of a request for proposal under section 103F-402, at the request of the agency, a provider shall participate in the agency's development of a delivery plan for health and human services, including, as necessary:

     (1)  The sharing of information on community needs, best practices, and providers' resources;

     (2)  Evaluating efficiencies in delivering existing services and recommending strategies for eliminating gaps in service delivery; and

     (3)  Recommending cost-efficient and effective service alternatives.

     (b)  A state agency may include a provision in a contract awarded under this chapter a requirement that the provider participate in planning pursuant to subsection (a); provided that notice of this requirement shall be provided in the request for proposals; and provided further that participation in planning pursuant to subsection (a) shall not disqualify a provider from submitting responses to requests for proposals. [L 1997, c 190, pt of §2; am L 2012, c 4, §1]