Sec. 4. The department may pay a stipulated amount to an unsuccessful offeror that submits a responsive proposal in response to a request for proposals under this chapter, in exchange for the work product contained in that proposal. The use by the department of any design element contained in an unsuccessful proposal is at the sole risk and discretion of the department and does not confer liability on the recipient of the stipulated amount under this section. After payment of the stipulated amount:
(1) the department and the unsuccessful offeror jointly own the rights to, and may make use of any work product contained in, the proposal, including the technologies, techniques, methods, processes, ideas, and information contained in the proposal, project design, and project financial plan; and
(2) the use by the unsuccessful offeror of any part of the work product contained in the proposal is at the sole risk of the unsuccessful offeror and does not confer liability on the department.
As added by P.L.47-2006, SEC.40.