CONCORD -- After a lengthy discussion, the Executive Council voted 5-0 to approve a $171,347 contract with a consultant to help the state select a private prison plan provider.

MGT of America Inc. of Tallahassee, Fla., will evaluate and analyze four proposals the state received from private contractors. MGT was one of seven firms the state reached out to. MGT responded June 5 and its proposal was accepted. The contract with MGT calls for its work to be done by Oct. 31.

The company was established in 1974 and primarily serves public-sector institutions including recent corrections-related contacts with Massachusetts and Oklahoma. New Hampshire asked for prison proposals last fall from private contractors.