(a) Where a project or Department need requires A&E services, the Department may make a statewide announcement through the publications of the respective professional societies, in a construction trade journal, or publicize the requirements for services in other appropriate publications.

The Department may also or as an alternative selectively advertise to reach providers of services within the appropriate trade or profession by publishing the announcement through electronic communications media which support bulletin boards or Internet web sites that have demonstrated statewide accessibility and are regularly maintained at established addresses by professional organizations which are representative of the services to be procured.

Failure of any professional society or construction trade journal to publish the announcement shall not invalidate any contract.

(b) The announcement shall include information describing the project or services, a Department contact for obtaining RFQs and the due date, time and location for submission of SOQs. The announcement may also identify the criteria upon which the award will be made. The announcement shall be statewide and shall be made through publications of the respective professional societies.

(c) The Director shall endeavor to provide to all small business firms that have indicated an interest in receiving such, a copy of each announcement for work, projects or services for which the Director concludes that small business firms could be especially qualified. A failure of the Director to send a copy of an announcement to any firm shall not operate to preclude any contract.

(d) If the Department has received at least three SOQs from qualified firms through the announcement issue pursuant to Section 381.1, the Director may waive the statewide announcement required in subdivision (a) of this section.

(e) The Director shall disseminate RFQs to those firms responding to the announcement and to qualified firms providing SOQs pursuant to Section 381.1. The RFQs shall include a description of the project, the criteria upon which the award shall be made, the due date, SOQ submission and contract requirements. The RFQs may also provide for the award of multiple contracts if the selection procedure is sufficiently described in the RFQ and the award otherwise complies with the provisions of this subchapter.