(1) For solicited proposals, after the close of the proposal period, the department will conduct a preliminary review and certify receipt of those submitted proposals that have met the following criteria:

(a) The proposal is complete;

(b) The proposal is responsive; and

(c) The proposal meets any additional procedural or process requirements prescribed by the state.

Solicited proposals certified by the department under this subsection will be forwarded to the evaluation panel under WAC 468-600-305.

(2) Unsolicited conceptual proposals submitted under WAC 468-600-220 will be reviewed by the evaluation panel, as created and assembled under WAC 468-600-305. The evaluation panel will initially determine whether the conceptual proposal is eligible for evaluation pursuant to WAC 468-600-200 (State's authority to accept unsolicited proposals—Moratorium); WAC 468-600-210 (Projects eligible for unsolicited proposals) and WAC 468-600-215 (Department's management of unsolicited proposals). If not, the evaluation panel will not proceed further with its evaluation and the department may return the proposal to the proposer. If the conceptual proposal is eligible for evaluation, the evaluation panel will assess:

(a) Whether the proposal is complete;

(b) Whether the proposer appears qualified;

(c) Whether the proposal appears to satisfy the requirements of WAC 468-600-240;

(d) Whether the project as proposed appears to be technically and financially feasible;

(e) Whether the project as proposed appears to have the potential of enhancing the state transportation system; and

(f) Whether the project as proposed appears to be in the public interest.

(3) The evaluation panel will report the results of its evaluation and its recommendation to the commission. The recommendation will not include sensitive business, commercial or financial information or trade secrets as described in WAC 468-600-605.