The department must establish a maximum time period allowed for conducting negotiations on a potential project or development agreement(s). Such time period may be established in the solicitation document described in WAC 468-600-105, or as a condition of selecting a particular proposer or proposers. If the department elects to conduct competitive negotiations under WAC 468-600-360, any deadline established for conducting negotiations must be equitably applied to all proposers engaged in negotiations. The department may extend a maximum negotiating time period if it determines extension to be in the interests of the state.