; and (II) may apply such provisions and process in accordance with such phased-in implementation as the Secretary deems necessary, but beginning as soon as practicable. (b) Administration of Federal Medicaid program through contracts with Medicaid managed care organization and third party plan administrator requirements (1) In general For the purpose of administering the benefits under the Program (across all coverage gap geographic areas (as defined in paragraph (8))) to provide medical assistance to individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) enrolled under the Federal Medicaid program and residing in such areas, the Secretary shall solicit bids described in paragraph (2) and enter into contracts with a total of at least 2 eligible entities (as specified by the Secretary, which may be a medicaid managed care organization (in this section defined as including a managed care organization described in section 1932(a)(1)(B)(i), a prepaid inpatient health plan, and a prepaid ambulatory health plans (as defined in section 438.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations)), a third party plan administrator, or both). An eligible entity entering into a contract with the Secretary under this paragraph may administer such benefits as a Medicaid managed care organization (as so defined), in which case such contract shall be in accordance with paragraph (3) with respect to such geographic area, or as a third-party administrator, in which case such contract shall be in accordance with paragraph (4) with respect to such geographic area. The Secretary may so contract with a Medicaid managed care organization or third party plan administrator in each coverage gap geographic area (and may specify which type of eligible entity may bid with respect to a coverage gap geographic area or areas) and may contract with more than one such eligible entity in the same coverage gap geographic area. (2) Bids (A) In general To be eligible to enter into a contract under this subsection, for a year, an entity shall submit (at such