Any application for financial assistance for a project whose total cost equals or exceeds the sum of $300,000, which is deemed acceptable after preliminary review by the council, shall be submitted to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for technical review. In addition, the council, in its discretion, may submit any application, irrespective of the amount of financial assistance requested or the total project cost, to the Dormitory Authority for technical review. The Dormitory Authority shall evaluate the application for each project so submitted and provide the council with a written recommendation for approval or disapproval of the request for financial assistance.