(a) After selecting not less than three nor more than eight persons deemed to be the most highly qualified to perform the required professional services, the principal representative or his designee shall then send a notice in writing to each person so selected defining the scope of the required professional services and then shall select a person to provide the professional services based upon additional factors such as the cost of providing the professional services and other factors as the agency deems appropriate or as required by law; provided, however, that, if the agency selects the person to provide professional services through contract negotiations, the provisions of Code Section 50-22-6 shall apply.

(b) In cases where Code Section 50-22-6 is not applicable, such additional factors to be considered shall be available to interested persons at the time of the public notice provided for in Code Section 50-22-3 and shall be presented in writing to any person selected for consideration of the project pursuant to Code Section 50-22-4.