Whenever an agency of government undertakes any public work project by any means or method other than by contract, it shall cause to be kept and preserved a full, true, and accurate record of the cost of such project. Such records shall be kept and maintained by a responsible official on behalf of the responsible agency of government. To the extent the responsible agency of government contracts with any other agency of government in connection with a project, such other agency shall provide all necessary data or information to enable the responsible agency of government to document a full, true, and accurate record of the cost of such project, which data or information shall be kept in an orderly manner by the responsible agency of government for a period of at least six years after completion of the project. All such records shall be considered public records and shall be made available for public inspection.