When the plans and specifications for any farm-to-market funded project are filed with and authorized for letting by the department, it shall, if the estimated cost exceeds one thousand dollars, proceed to advertise for bids and make a recommendation to award or reject a contract. The recommendation to award a contract shall be submitted to the board of supervisors of the county in which the project is located for its approval and award of contract. Upon receiving the approval of the county board on the recommended contract award, the department shall take final action to concur in the award of the contract. For a project without federal funds the above procedure may be reversed and the county board may be authorized to advertise for bids, and, subject to concurrence by the department, award a contract for the construction work.