(a) The Department may make and enter into all contracts and agreements with any person, public body or authority of this or any other state which it may consider necessary to or advisable for the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter. It may establish rules and regulations covering advertising for proposals for repairs or additions thereto or improvements of the Bridge and may establish standards of eligibility for prospective bidders. It may receive sealed proposals for repairs or additions or improvements or for the materials required for such repairs, additions or improvements, reserving the right to reject any or all proposals, and the proposals shall be publicly opened at the time specified in the advertisement. The contract or contracts for such work or for the materials and supplies required therefor shall be awarded by the Department to the lowest responsible bidder, unless in the opinion of the Department the interests of the State will be better served by awarding the contract to some other bidder. The successful bidder shall promptly execute a formal contract, to be approved as to its form, terms and conditions by the Department, and shall also furnish a bond in accordance with § 6909 of Title 29, and all such provisions, as far as applicable, are incorporated herein by reference, and all of the provisions thereof applicable to bonds furnished thereunder shall be likewise applicable to bonds furnished hereunder. In the event, after advertisement referred to herein, the Department is unable to secure a satisfactory proposal for repairs, additions or improvements, it may proceed with such repairs, additions or improvements with forces employed by it for the purpose. The Department may employ engineering, architectural and construction experts and inspectors and attorneys and such other experts and employees as may be necessary in its judgment for any of the purposes herein stated and fix their compensation. All expenses incurred by the Department shall be charged by the Department to the project and the Department shall keep proper records and accounts showing each amount so charged. The amount so charged shall be paid by the Department from the funds to be supplied for the purposes of this chapter for preliminary expenses in connection with the Bridge or from funds specially appropriated for the temporary use of the Department. Any of the moneys appropriated for such temporary use of the Department prior to the furnishing of funds for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this chapter which may be used by the Department shall be repaid by the Department to the State Treasury from the funds so to be supplied. No liability or obligation shall be incurred by the Department hereunder beyond the amount of money which shall have been previously appropriated by the General Assembly or beyond the amount of the funds to be otherwise supplied for the purpose of carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
(b) The Department shall, during the month of January in each year, make a report to the Governor setting forth all of the facts necessary and pertinent to the performance by the Department of its duties under this chapter in respect to the operation and maintenance of the Bridge.
(c) The accounts of the Department in connection with the maintenance and operation of the Bridge shall be maintained separate and apart from the other accounts of the Department and shall be audited annually by the Budget Commission.