In times of extraordinary stress and of disaster, resulting from storms, floods, fire, or other calamitous events the director may declare the existence of an emergency and designate the location, nature, cause, area, and extent of the emergency if in his opinion:

convenience, and welfare of the general public of the state.

The department may perform any work required or take any remedial measures necessary to avert, alleviate, repair, or restore damage or destruction to property as provided in this chapter.

The director shall transmit any declaration made under this chapter to the Department of Finance with a recommendation and request that money be allocated from any available money appropriated for that purpose or to meet state emergencies within the meaning of that term as employed in this chapter, in order to carry out the work and remedial measures required to meet the emergency.

The Director of Finance shall forthwith determine if a state emergency exists, and if money is available in any appropriation or emergency fund for the work and remedial measures. Upon an affirmative finding upon these matters he shall allocate to the Department of General Services such amount as in his opinion will be required to meet the emergency.

Any work to be done as provided for in this chapter may be accomplished by day labor, negotiated contract, contract made upon informal bids or a combination thereof without the necessity of complying with the State Contract Act or any part thereof.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9550 of the Civil Code, the contractor under any

contract made under this chapter need not provide a payment bond before the commencement of the work but must provide a payment bond as otherwise required by law prior to payment under the contract.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Article 2 (commencing with Section 1770) of Chapter 1 of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code, the director need not determine the prevailing wage rates before the work under any such contract is commenced. However, such contract shall contain a provision that the contractor shall pay prevailing wages for the crafts or trades so utilized which wage rates shall be ascertained as of the date of such contract by the director as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible.