At any time after the contract has been substantially completed, the contractor may be permitted to draw any part of the retained percentage withheld by the department in an amount determined by the department to be in the best interest of the state, provided the contractor files a written request on forms provided by the department for requests. The department may pay to the contractor any part of the retained percentage the department determines is in the best interest of the state even though the contractor does not request payment, provided that the department notifies the contractor of the department's intent to do so at least thirty (30) days in advance of the payment. The fact that the contractor is permitted to withdraw a part of the retained percentage, or that the department pays a part of the retained percentage, shall in no way release or relieve the contractor on the contract.
IC 8-23-9-17