(1) Once the bid results are determined and the department has requested to enter into a contract, an intent to award a contract shall be prepared by the entity who has contract administration duties.
(2) A contract will not be issued until a performance and payment bond is received in accordance with Arkansas Code § 18-44-501 et seq., and Arkansas Code § 22-9-401 et seq., and other applicable documents are properly executed and received.
(b)
(1) Contracts shall be awarded pursuant to all applicable laws including Arkansas Code § 19-4-1401 et seq., and Arkansas Code § 22-9-201 et seq.
(2) No capital improvement contract shall be awarded to other than the lowest responsible bidder.
(c)
(1) The Construction Section shall retain the original of the contract.
(2) Copies of the contract, the performance and payment bond, certificates of insurance, and disclosure and certification statements will be forwarded to the department project coordinator upon Building Authority Division approval for disbursement.
(3) Upon approval, the design professional may issue the notice to proceed to the contractor.
(4) The Construction Section shall receive a copy of the notice.
(d) The state reserves the right to rescind the award of any contract at any time before the execution of the contract by the parties and approval of the division without any liability against the state.