(a) The Arkansas Department of Transportation shall:
(1) Prepare contract plans, specifications, special provisions, and other requirements composing the contract for construction of a transportation project elected for procurement using the construction manager-general contract method authorized by this subchapter;
(2) Prepare a detailed construction cost estimate to evaluate the appropriate price for the construction of the transportation project;
(3) If requested by the Director of State Highways and Transportation, have an independent third-party cost estimator prepare a detailed construction cost estimate to confirm the appropriate price for the construction of the transportation project;
(4) Include in the contract created by subdivision (a)(1) of this section a requirement that the construction manager-general contractor perform at least thirty percent (30%) of the total cost for construction, not including the preconstruction work performed by the construction manager-general contractor; and
(5)
(A) Keep the construction cost estimates prepared under subdivisions (a)(2) and (3) of this section confidential and not subject to public disclosure until after the contract has been awarded.
(B) Construction cost estimates prepared under subdivisions (a)(2) and (3) of this section are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq., but only until after the contract has been awarded.
(b) A construction manager-general contractor shall submit to the department a guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the transportation project using the contract plans, specifications, special provisions, and other requirements prepared by the department as required by subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
(c) The department may award the contract to a construction manager-general contractor if the guaranteed maximum price does not exceed the cost estimate provided by the department or independent third party by more than ten percent (10%).
(d) If the director rejects the proposed guaranteed maximum price, the department may:
(1) Work with the construction manager-general contractor to find a guaranteed maximum price that is acceptable to both parties; or
(2) Request that the construction manager-general contractor provide additional preconstruction services and submit a new guaranteed maximum price as directed by this section.
(e) If the department does not award the contract to a construction manager-general contractor, the department may proceed with the transportation project using a procurement process authorized by law.