Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may authorize the Controller to make payments to claimants for work performed on a rural public mass transportation project prior to the execution of a formal grant agreement subject to all of the following conditions:
(a) The work is expressly included in a program of projects approved by the department and submitted to the United States Department of Transportation for funding.
(b) A grant agreement for the work is subsequently executed between the department and the claimant.
(c) Funds are specifically appropriated and available for the work.