2. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, regulation or order to the contrary, the division shall, after the effective date of this act, issue any initial decision in written form in those cases in which the decision results in the rejection of an application from a small business for eligibility to participate in the set-aside program.
b. The written decision required pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall specify the criteria and procedures used by the division in evaluating an application for eligibility from a small business seeking to participate in the set-aside program and the reasons for rejecting such application. The written decision shall also include, pursuant to regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), a description of the procedures required to file an appeal of a decision rejecting an application for the set-aside program. The written decision shall be forwarded to the applicant for review within 14 days of issuing the decision.