(a) An authority shall provide or contract for, independently of the design-build firm, the following services as necessary for the acceptance of the transportation project by the authority:
(1) inspection services;
(2) construction materials engineering and testing; and
(3) verification testing services.
(b) An authority shall ensure that the engineering services contracted for under this section are selected based on demonstrated competence and qualifications.
(c) This section does not preclude the design-build contractor from providing construction quality assurance and quality control under a design-build contract.