Sec. 8. (a) The authority shall consider economy of operation to the extent practicable in preparing and approving plans and specifications. The authority shall present plans and specifications for a state facility for approval to the department of administration and:

(1) if the state facility is designed to house the supreme court or court of appeals, the administrator of the supreme court for approval by the courts; and

(2) if the state facility is a correctional facility, the department of correction.

     (b) After the plans and specifications have been approved by the authority under subsection (a), the authority shall advertise for and receive construction bids and award contracts to the best bidders in the same manner as required by law for the department of administration.

     (c) With regard to participation by minority and women’s business enterprises (as defined in IC 4-13-16.5-1), the authority shall act in the same manner as required by law for the department of administration.

As added by P.L.189-2018, SEC.25. Amended by P.L.15-2020, SEC.12.