Within ten (10) days after the Department of Parks and Recreation has issued a notice of intent to award a concession contract for a term in excess of two (2) years following a request for proposal or invitation to bid, any proposer/bidder may file a written statement of protest against awarding of the contract with the Director of the Department. The statement shall be signed by the protestor, shall specify the grounds for the protest and may include a demand for a hearing. A copy of the protest must be served on the Attorney General within the same ten-day period by the proposer/bidder.

If a protest is timely served and a hearing is demanded, or if the Director on his or her own motion orders a hearing, proceedings shall be conducted according to the Administrative Procedure Act, and the protest statement shall be treated as a statement of issues. Any recommendation or decision of the hearing officer shall be submitted to the Director for approval, adoption, modification, disapproval or other interlocutory or final action.

If a hearing is not so demanded or ordered, the action of the Director shall be final.