(a) When an amount is appropriated or allocated to a department as a grant under this section for a named recipient that is not a municipality, the department to which the appropriation or allocation is made shall promptly notify the named recipient of the availability of the grant and request the named recipient to submit a proposal to provide the goods or services specified in the appropriation act for which the appropriation or allocation is made. A grant agreement must be executed within 60 days after the effective date of the appropriation or allocation unless the department determines that an award of the grant would not be in the public interest.
(b) The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall require a recipient awarded a grant for a public works project under (a) of this section to comply with the hiring preferences under AS 36.10.150 - 36.10.175 for employment generated by the grant.