(a) After ranking the proposers under § 223.246(i), the department shall first attempt to negotiate a contract with the highest-ranked proposer. The department may include in the negotiations alternative technical concepts proposed by other proposers, subject to § 223.249.
(b) If the department is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the highest-ranked proposer, the department shall, formally and in writing, end all negotiations with that proposer and proceed to negotiate with the next proposer in the order of the selection ranking until a contract is reached or negotiations with all ranked proposers end.