1. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 332 of NRS or NRS 625.530, a commission may utilize a turnkey procurement process to select a person to design, build, finance, operate and maintain, or any combination thereof, a high-capacity transit system, including, without limitation, any minimum operable segment thereof. The commission shall determine whether to utilize turnkey procurement for a high-capacity transit project before the completion of the preliminary engineering phase of the project. In making that determination, the commission shall evaluate whether turnkey procurement is the most cost-effective method of constructing the project on schedule and in satisfaction of its transportation objectives.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 332 of NRS, a commission may utilize a competitive negotiation procurement process to procure rolling stock for a high-capacity transit project and any other equipment that is related to the project. The award of a contract under such a process must be made to the person whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the commission, based on price and other factors specified in the procurement documents.

3. If a commission develops a high-capacity transit project, the Department of Transportation is hereby designated to serve as the oversight agency to ensure compliance with the federal safety regulations for rail fixed guideway systems set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 659.

4. As used in this section:

(a) “Minimum operable segment” means the shortest portion of a high-capacity transit system that is technically capable of providing viable public transportation between two end points.

(b) “Turnkey procurement” means a competitive procurement process by which a person is selected by a commission, based on evaluation criteria established by the commission, to design, build, operate and maintain, or any combination thereof, a high-capacity transit system, or a portion thereof, in accordance with performance criteria and technical specifications established by the commission.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 3136)