(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the secretary may procure progressive design-build contracts for the design-build project.
(b) The secretary shall develop guidelines for a standard organizational conflict-of-interest policy, consistent with applicable law, regarding the ability of a person or entity that performs services for the department relating to the solicitation of a design-build project, to submit a statement of qualifications, a proposal, or both as a design-build entity, or to join a design-build team.