A. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall establish a flexible benefits plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 1361 et seq. of this title. All participating employers shall offer the plan to their eligible employees.

B. The Office shall interpret the plan and decide any matters arising thereunder and may adopt such rules and procedures as it deems necessary, desirable or appropriate in the administration of the plan subject to the Administrative Procedures Act.¹ All rules and decisions of the Office shall be uniformly and consistently applied to all participants in similar circumstances and shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in the plan. When making any decision or determination, the Office shall be entitled to rely upon such information as may be furnished to it by a participant, a participating employer, legal counsel, third party administrator or the management of any individual benefit plan which is incorporated in the plan.

C. The Office may contract with one or more firms or organizations to administer or provide consulting services in regard to all or any portion of the plan.

The Office shall solicit proposals on a competitive bid basis. Contracts for the flexible benefits plan shall not be subject to the provisions of The Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, Section 85.1 et seq. of this title. The Office shall promulgate rules establishing appropriate competitive bidding criteria and procedures for contracts awarded for flexible benefits plans.

When awarding a contract for services pursuant to this subsection, the Office shall satisfy itself that the contractor has no interests which would impair its ability to perform the tasks and services required and that the contractor will exercise proper independent judgment when performing its responsibilities under Section 1361 et seq. of this title and under the contract.

D. Expenses included in an employee's salary adjustment agreement pursuant to the flexible benefits plan shall be limited to expenses for:

E. The amount by which an employee's salary is adjusted pursuant to a salary adjustment agreement shall be excluded from income in computation of income tax withholding, federal insurance contributions act taxes, unemployment payments and workers' compensation coverage. Such amount shall be included as income in computation of state retirement contributions and benefits. Provided, if the inclusions and exclusions provided in this subsection conflict with the provisions of federal law or regulations pertaining to flexible benefits plans, the Council is authorized to modify or abolish such inclusions and exclusions.