Kansas lawmakers have agreed to pay a firm about $2.6 million to perform a government efficiency study although another firm offered to do the job for less than $1 million.

Lawmakers signed a contract Monday with Alvarez & Marsal, which would be paid $2.6 million to perform the study.

Another firm, McGladrey, bid the job for less than $1 million. Another firm, Deloitte, submitted a bid for $2.5 million, and the Boston Consulting Group submitted a bid for $2.8 million.

Rachel Whitten, spokeswoman for House Speaker Ray Merrick, says lawmakers considered expertise before cost when choosing the firm and that McGladrey’s bid was not as thorough.

The Kansas contract includes an analysis of the state’s budget and an evaluation of the state’s budget process.

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Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle