(a) Part 635, subpart B, of this title, Force Account Construction (justification required for force account work), states that it is cost-effective for certain utility adjustments to be performed by a utility with its own forces and equipment, provided the utility is qualified to perform the work in a satisfactory manner. This cost-effectiveness finding covers minor work on the utility's existing facilities routinely performed by the utility with its own forces. When the utility is not adequately staffed and equipped to perform such work with its own forces and equipment at a time convenient to and in coordination with the associated highway construction, such work may be done by:

1. (1) A contract awarded by the TD or utility to the lowest qualified bidder based on appropriate solicitation,
2. (2) Inclusion as part of the TD's highway construction contract let by the TD as agreed to by the utility,
3. (3) An existing continuing contract, provided the costs are reasonable, or
4. (4) A contract for low-cost incidental work, such as tree trimming and the like, awarded by the TD or utility without competitive bidding, provided the costs are reasonable.