(a) For any highway project to be delivered through the design-build method, the department must prepare and issue a request for qualifications. A request for qualifications must include:
(1) information regarding the proposed project’s location, scope, and limits;
(2) information regarding funding that may be available for the project;
(3) criteria that will be used to evaluate the qualifications statements, which must include a proposer’s qualifications, experience, technical competence, and ability to develop the project;
(4) the relative weight to be given to the criteria; and
(5) the deadline by which qualifications statements must be received by the department.
(b) The department shall publish notice advertising the issuance of a request for qualifications in the Texas Register and on the department’s Internet website.

(c) The department shall evaluate each qualifications statement received in response to a request for qualifications based on the criteria identified in the request. The department may interview responding proposers. Based on the department’s evaluation of qualifications statements and interviews, if any, the department shall qualify or short-list proposers to submit proposals.
(d) The department shall qualify or short-list at least two private entities to submit proposals under § 223.246, but may not qualify or short-list more private entities than the number of private entities designated on the request for qualifications.
(e) The department may withdraw a request for qualifications or request for proposals at any time.