157.1(1)A procuring entity may, before entering into a procurement contract with a prospective supplier by mutual agreement under section 156 or 157, publish on the New Brunswick Opportunities Network an ACAN indicating that the procuring entity intends to enter into a procurement agreement with a prospective supplier that it believes to be the only one able to meet the procurement requirements.

157.1(2)An ACAN shall be published for the minimum solicitation period for an open competitive bidding process set out in section 96 in order to allow interested suppliers an opportunity to signal their interest in bidding by submitting a statement of capabilities.

157.1(3)An ACAN shall contain the information listed in section 89.

157.1(4)If a procuring entity receives a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the procuring entity shall procure the good or service through an open competitive bidding process.

157.1(5)If no other supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the procuring entity may enter into a procurement contract with the prospective supplier by mutual agreement under section 156 or 157, as the case may be.