27 CAR § 91-706. Preliminary engineering

(a) Initial authorization on highway projects is for preliminary engineering by the utility owner's personnel (force account), the cost of which will be included in the subsequent relocation agreement. (b)(1) When the utility owner is not adequately staffed with technical personnel or the present workload would be prohibitive to perform the necessary preliminary engineering, a consulting engineer may be employed by the utility owner. (2) If any part of the consultant's entire fee is eligible for reimbursement, the utility owner shall submit a written request to the Utilities Section requesting approval for the use of a consultant. (c) Preliminary engineering costs are reimbursable to the utility owner only to the extent that the existing utility facilities that require adjustment are eligible for reimbursement. (d) Additional information regarding the use of consultants for preliminary engineering services is contained in 27 CAR § 91-901 et seq.