(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections one hundred twelve and one hundred sixty-three of the state finance law, or section one hundred forty-two of the economic development law, or any 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 of health 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 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; and

(iv) No contract entered pursuant to this paragraph shall have a term that ends later than March thirty-first, two thousand seventeen. 6. The commissioner shall submit an annual report to the governor, temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly, the chair of the senate health committee and the chair of the assembly health committee by December thirty-first, beginning in two thousand twelve and for each year thereafter until the year following full implementation. The initial report shall consist of modifications to the plan developed pursuant to section forty-seven-b of part B of chapter fifty-eight of the laws of two thousand ten, and shall include anticipated implementation of the revised plan, its elements, a timeline for such implementation, recommendations for legislative action, and such other matters as may be pertinent. The report shall include a plan and timeline for the state to:

(i) assume specific functions related to the administration of the medical assistance program; (ii) coordinate the implementation of provisions of federal law with the assumption of the administration of the medical assistance program; and (iii) address the financing of the medical assistance program administration and any associated administrative cost relief to local social services districts. The report shall also indicate any function that the state intends to enter into a contract with a public and/or private entity to perform, and the date in which the state anticipates entering into any such contract. In addition, reports shall, at a minimum, indicate: (i) any progress the department has made regarding its proposed timeline, including a summary of all functions assumed by the state during the previous year; (ii) any anticipated and/or actual delay from the proposed timeline; (iii) the reason for any such delay; and (iv) actions the department has undertaken to mitigate any such delay. 7. The commissioner shall promulgate such regulations that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. In addition, the commissioner shall make any amendments to the state plan for medical assistance, or develop and submit an application for any waiver or approval under the federal social security act, that are necessary and required to carry out the provisions of this section.