(a) The firm or group of firms shall complete an application, or a short-form application in the case of a preliminary productivity assessment or a limited productivity assessment involving short-term management consulting services, which shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the firm or group of firms, the competitive situation, financial circumstances, assistance requested, costs, cost-sharing arrangements, confidentiality requests, proposed use of experts and method of selection, evidence of support and participation of the labor force in the study, reporting requirements, and such other information as the department shall deem appropriate.

(b) Upon review and approval of the application by the department, or UDC upon approval of the commissioner, a written agreement shall be executed with the firm or group of firms.

(c) Services will be performed by the department or by an expert or experts retained or supervised by the department.

(d) The department and the firm shall review the draft findings and recommendations prior to submission of the final productivity assessment to ensure that it adequately addresses the issues in the scope of services. A final productivity assessment will be submitted to the department and the firm or group of firms.

(e) If the department determines, based upon recommendations in a full productivity assessment, that further assistance is warranted, it may amend the agreement with the firm or group of firms to provide for additional services in preparing an adjustment plan and in planning, designing and introducing remedial measures to improve productivity and competitiveness.