(a) Discovery (including inspection and production of documents and records, depositions, interrogatories, admissions, etc.) by agreement of the Parties is encouraged. For this purpose it is the duty of the Parties or their counsel to communicate with each other before initiating discovery to determine whether a reasonable agreement for discovery can be made. This subsection does not limit or modify the rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to discovery set forth in Section 1283.05 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except subdivision (e) thereof, as specified in Section 10240.11 of the Public Contract Code.

(b) Inspection and production of discoverable documents and records is the preferred initial means of discovery.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2030 and 2033 of the Code of Civil Procedure, all original documents relating to interrogatories and requests for admissions and all notices of the taking of deposition and inspection and production of documents shall be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings and copies shall be served on all Parties to the Arbitration.

(d) On request of any Party made not less than 30 days prior to the hearing on the merits, each Party shall notify the other Parties in writing of the identity and current address of each expert witness to be presented as a witness at the hearing and a brief narrative statement of the qualifications of such witnesses and the general substance of the testimony which the witness is expected to give. At the same time, the Parties shall also exchange all written reports prepared by such witnesses and each Party shall have a reasonable opportunity to depose such witnesses. The Arbitrator may permit a Party to call an expert witness not included on the list upon a showing of good cause.