(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Design-build" means a project delivery method in which the school district acquires both design and construction services in the same contract from a single legal entity, referred to as the "design-builder", without competitive bidding;

(2)

(A) "Design-builder" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, or other legal entity that is appropriately licensed in the State of Arkansas and that furnishes the necessary design services, in addition to the construction of the work, whether by itself or through subcontracts, including, but not limited to, subcontracts for architectural services, landscape architectural services, and engineering services.

(B) Architectural services, landscape architectural services, and engineering services shall be performed by an architect, landscape architect, or engineer licensed in the State of Arkansas.

(C) Construction contracting shall be performed by a contractor qualified and licensed under Arkansas law; and

(3) "Design-build contract" means the contract between the school district and a design-builder to furnish the architecture, engineering, and related services as required and to furnish the labor, materials, and other construction services for the same project.

(b)

(1) Any school district may use design-build construction as a project delivery method for building, altering, repairing, improving, maintaining, or demolishing any structure, or any improvement to real property owned by the school district.

(2) The design-builder shall contract directly with subcontractors and shall be responsible for the bonding of the project.

(3) A project using design-build construction shall comply with state and federal law.

(c) The Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall develop and promulgate rules consistent with the provisions of this section concerning the use of design-build construction by school districts.