(1) Special Procurements. Special procurement requests, approvals, and protests shall be made in accordance with rules adopted by the purchasing agent.

(2) Public Improvement Contract Exemptions. Public improvement contract exemption shall be adopted in accordance with rules adopted by the purchasing agent.

(3) Commencement of Public Improvement Solicitation Prior to Approval. A solicitation may be issued prior to the approval of a public improvement contract exemption if the purchasing agent must act promptly because of circumstances beyond the purchasing agent’s control that do not constitute an emergency, notification of the public hearing may be published simultaneously with the city’s solicitation of contractors for the alternative public contracting method, as long as responses to the solicitation are due at least five days after the hearing and approval of the findings.