(a) The Secretary of General Services, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland each may designate, for the Small Business Preference Program, procurement of certain supplies, services, or construction related services that have been requested through or with the approval of the Secretary or Chancellor.

(b) The invitation for bids on a procurement that has been designated for a small business preference shall be sent to small businesses and regular bidders to establish a reasonable price range commensurate with current market conditions.

(c) The Secretary of General Services, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland shall award a procurement contract designated for a small business preference to the small business that:

(1) is a responsible bidder; and

(2) submits the lowest responsive bid from a small business if the difference between that bid and the lowest responsive bid submitted by a responsible bidder who is not a small business does not exceed the percentage preference established under § 14-206 of this subtitle.