(1) Notice and distribution fee. The commission, or the department acting on behalf of the commission, shall furnish notice to a sufficient number of entities for the purpose of fostering and promoting competition. The notice shall indicate where, when, how, and for how long the solicitation document may be obtained and generally describe the work. The notice may contain any other appropriate information. The department may charge a fee or require a deposit for the solicitation document. The department may furnish notice using any method determined to foster and promote competition, including:

(a) Mail notice of the availability of solicitation documents ("notice") to entities that have expressed an interest in department procurements;

(b) Place notice on the state of Washington's electronic procurement system; or

(c) Place notice on the department's and the commission's internet web site.

(2) Method of publication. The department shall furnish notice for every solicitation for proposals by any method that meets the requirements of law, including:

(a) Mail notice of the availability of solicitation documents ("notice") to entities that have expressed an interest in department procurements;

(b) Place notice on the state of Washington's electronic procurement system;

(c) Place notice on the department and commission's internet web site;

(d) Advertising - the department shall publish the advertisement for proposals at least once in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the contract is to be performed, in at least one trade newspaper or publication of general statewide circulation and in as many additional issues and publications as the department may determine to be necessary or desirable to foster and promote competition.

(3) Publication contents. All advertisements for proposals shall set forth:

(a) The scheduled closing, that shall not be less than five days after the date of the last publication of the advertisement;

(b) The date that entities must file applications for prequalification if prequalification is a requirement and the class or classes of work for which entities must be prequalified;

(c) The nature of the work to be performed or the goods to be purchased;

(d) The office where any documents related to the solicitation may be reviewed;

(e) The name, title and address of the department employee authorized to receive proposals; and

(f) If applicable, that the contract is for a public work subject to chapter 39.12 RCW or the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. sections 3141 to 3148).

(4) Posting advertisement for proposals. The department shall post a copy of each advertisement for proposals at the principal business office of the department. A proposer may obtain a copy of the advertisement for proposals upon request from the transportation innovative partnership program office, or on the internet at www.wsdot.wa.gov.

(5) Notice to state office of minority and women's business enterprises (OMWBE). The department shall provide timely notice of all solicitations to the state office of minority and women's business enterprises.