TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas could sign a contract this fall with a private company to build a new prison to replace its oldest and largest state lockup, and it is limiting the search to companies that already have built multiple prisons, documents show.

The state Department of Corrections is telling potential bidders on the project, which could cost as much as $155 million, that the contract also would require them to maintain the proposed new prison in Lansing. The state also is asking for proposals under which a company initially would own and lease the prison to the cash-strapped state befor...