(a)

1. (1) A project of the size and importance that will be attractive to the Arkansas Department of Transportation as a D-B project will extend several years from initial project identification through all the stages of the project, i.e., preliminary engineering, environmental, procurement, and, subsequently, design/construction.
2. (2) The Arkansas Department of Transportation should designate a project director (PD) early in the project development and designate the PD as the sole contact person for information release throughout the life of the project.
3. (3) Once a PD is assigned to the project, most Arkansas Department of Transportation communication and correspondence with the outside parties should be shifted to the PD and any other Arkansas Department of Transportation office should refrain from accepting, or responding to, any private entity communication concerning the project.
4. (4) Communication with government and agency departments, such as the Federal Highway Administration, may continue to be received by the Arkansas Department of Transportation main offices and correspondence forwarded to the PD, or as otherwise determined appropriate by the Arkansas Department of Transportation for the project.

(b)

1. (1) The PD should be responsible to manage and administer the project and should have delegated authority to represent the Arkansas Department of Transportation in all matters except those issues that require a higher authority by law.
2. (2) The PD is usually an Arkansas Department of Transportation employee, however, it may be an employee of an outside firm if deemed appropriate by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.