(a) (1) Whenever a procurement officer determines that there is only 1 available source for the subject of a procurement contract, the procurement officer may award the procurement contract without competition to that source.

(2) Before awarding a procurement contract to a sole source, the procurement officer shall obtain:

(i) the approval of the head of the unit; and

(ii) any other approval required by law.

(b) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, with the prior written approval of the Attorney General, a unit may enter into a sole source contract to obtain the services of a contractor in connection with:

(i) threatened or pending litigation;

(ii) appraisal of real property for acquisition by the State; or

(iii) collective bargaining.

(2) This subsection applies only to a procurement in which:

(i) a unit obtains the services of a contractor to represent the State; and

(ii) the nature of the services to be performed requires confidentiality.

(3) This subsection does not apply if the unit reasonably can anticipate a continuing need for a contractor described in paragraph (1)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection.

(c) Not more than 30 days after the execution and approval of a procurement contract awarded under this section, a unit shall publish in eMaryland Marketplace notice of the award.