At least 20 calendar days prior to the filing of an application for a certificate of need under Section 127170, the applicant shall notify the office of its intent to apply for a certificate of need. The office may consult with the applicant on the proposed project.
The office may refuse to accept a certificate-of-need application where the applicant has failed to file a notification of intent to apply for a certificate of need pursuant to this section. However, if a certificate of need is issued, it shall not be
invalidated on the sole basis of failure of the applicant to notify the office within the time required by this section.