Section 10A. The division shall design and implement a competitive bidding procedure for the procurement of electric generation from renewable and alternative generating facilities on behalf of municipalities certified as green communities under section 10. Any competitive bids received shall include payment options with rates that remain uniform for a minimum of 5 years. In lieu of designing and implementing a competitive bidding process as required by this section, the director may become a member of programs organized and administered by the Health and Educational Facilities Authority or its subsidiary organization for the purpose of such competitive group purchasing of electricity.