The ABV for this is inflated as it assumes the dark grains labelled as 'late additions' listed will be incorporated into the hot mash. The ABV is actually ~7%.

Using a multi-stage mash method. You could also do a single infusion mash of 20 quarts / 4 gallons at 160 F. Sparge with 3.5 gallons of 170 F.

"Cold steep" the dark grains separately and add to the fermenter when brewing is complete. From the research I've done, to cold steep grains, use a ratio of 2 quarts per pound of room temperature water and let them steep for about 2 hours. The water should be boiled then cooled before steeping the grains and the runoff should also be pasteurized ("boil" it at 170) for a 5 - 10 minutes, then cooled again before adding to the beer in the fermenter. This will help prevent any infections.
Alternatively you can add it to the last 5 minutes of the boil as well, but this may produce some harshness.

For the yeast starter, make a small wort with an OG ~1.036 with 1.25 quart/ .5 cups of DME. It's better to start with more water because you can always boil off some. Too high of a gravity will stress the yeast into actually fermenting whereas a lower gravity wort will give them nutrients to grow, but not focus on fermenting.
http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/homebrew/starter-tips