(i)#
The Secretary shall waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) in the case of any State that demonstrates to the Secretary that—
(I) compliance with subparagraph (A) would be inconsistent with efficient or effective operation of the program operated by such State under this section; or
(II) the amount by which the savings yielded by an alternative cost containment system would be less than the savings yielded by a competitive bidding system is sufficiently minimal that the difference is not significant.
(i)(I)#
compliance with subparagraph (A) would be inconsistent with efficient or effective operation of the program operated by such State under this section; or
(i)(II)#
the amount by which the savings yielded by an alternative cost containment system would be less than the savings yielded by a competitive bidding system is sufficiently minimal that the difference is not significant.
(ii)#
The Secretary shall prescribe criteria under which a waiver may be granted pursuant to clause (i).
(iii)#
The Secretary shall provide information on a timely basis to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on waivers that have been granted under clause (i).