- (a) Prior to issuing an RFP, any public entity wanting to utilize the Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act, Arkansas Code § 22-10-101 et seq., for the development of partnership projects must submit an application to the Department of Shared Administrative Services requesting to be designated as a responsible public entity (RPE).
- (b) The Department of Shared Administrative Services shall publish the Responsible Public Entity Application (application) on its website.
- (c) A public entity shall submit two (2) copies of the signed, completed application and any supporting attachments to the Department of Shared Administrative Services.
- (d) The Department of Shared Administrative Services and the Department of Commerce will concurrently review the application and if approved, designate the public entity as a responsible public entity for the purpose of developing a qualifying project.
- (e) While not required, a public entity is encouraged to seek the advice of the Department of Shared Administrative Services and the Department of Commerce regarding potential partnership projects as early as possible, preferably prior to or during development of the application.
(f) Designation as an RPE does not bind the public entity to proceed with the:
- (1) Issuance of a request for proposal; or
- (2) Development of any partnership projects.