No later than three years from the effective date of this article, the board shall issue a request for proposals that solicits nonprofit entities to submit bids to assume administrative and fiscal responsibility for operation of the program on a regional basis. The geographic boundaries of the regions shall be designated by the board. The board shall assess bidder’s qualifications in the areas of administrative capacity, financial responsibility, local experience, and demonstrated ability.

Within six months of issuing the request for proposals, the board shall select from among the qualified bidders and award administrative and financial responsibility for the program to the selected regional nonprofit entities. If no qualified nonprofit entity submits a bid pursuant to the board’s request for proposals, one year from the date that bids were due the board shall reissue a request for proposals if the board has reason to believe that there is a possibility for a response from a qualified nonprofit entity.

The board shall provide for an orderly transition of administrative and financial responsibility for the program.

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1128, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1993. Operative July 1, 1993, by Sec. 15 of Ch. 1128.)