(a) Any person or government agency desiring the permit required by section 264-6 shall apply for a permit on a form prescribed by the director of transportation. Any permit issued shall be conditioned upon the adherence of the applicant to the requirements of sections 264-8 and 264-9; provided that on awarding any contract for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair of any state highway or federal-aid highway project, the director of transportation or the director's authorized representative shall ascertain whether the work to be done by the terms of that contract will require the contractor, the contractor's employees, or the contractor's agents to engage in any of the activities enumerated in section 264-6(1) and (2) and, if one or more such activities is likely to be required, shall issue the permit required by section 264-6, waiving the fee requirements imposed by subsection (b) of this section