(b) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of section one hundred twelve or one hundred sixty-three of the state finance law, sections one hundred forty-two and one hundred forty-three of the economic development law, or any other contrary provision of law, the commissioner is authorized to enter into a contract or contracts under paragraph (a) of this subdivision without a competitive bid or request for proposal process, provided, however, that:

(i) The department shall post on its website, for a period of no less than thirty days:

(1) A description of the proposed services to be provided pursuant to the contract or contracts;

(2) The criteria for selection of a contractor or contractors;

(3) The period of time during which a prospective contractor may seek selection, which shall be no less than thirty days after such information is first posted on the website; and

(4) The manner by which a prospective contractor may seek such selection, which may include submission by electronic means;

(ii) All reasonable and responsive submissions that are received from prospective contractors in a timely fashion shall be reviewed by the commissioner; and

(iii) The commissioner shall select such contractor or contractors that, in his or her discretion, are best suited to serve the purposes of this section.

(c) Paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall apply only to the initial contract or contracts necessary to obtain the services of a fiscal agent for early intervention program fiscal management and payment of early intervention claims and shall not apply to subsequent contracts needed to maintain such services, as determined by the commissioner in his or her discretion.