California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 25434

The commission may contract with one or more business entities capable of supplying or providing goods or services necessary for the commission to carry out the responsibilities for the programs conducted pursuant to this article, and shall contract with one or more business entities to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs implemented pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25433.5. The commission may select an entity on a sole source basis for one or both of those purposes if the cost to the state will be reasonable and the commission determines that it is in the best interest of the state.