15. a. All purchases, contracts, or agreements made pursuant to this act shall be made or awarded directly by the authority, except as otherwise provided in this act, only after public advertisement for bids therefor in the manner provided by the authority and notwithstanding the provisions of any other laws to the contrary.

b. Any purchase, contract, or agreement may be made, negotiated, or awarded by the authority without public bid or advertising under the following circumstances:

(1) When the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the amount set forth in, or the amount calculated by the Governor pursuant to, section 2 of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-7);

(2) To acquire subject matter which is described in section 4 of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-9);

(3) To make a purchase or award or make a contract or agreement under the circumstances described in section 5 of P.L.1954, c.48 (C. 52:34-10);

(4) When the contract to be entered into is for the furnishing or performing of services of a professional or technical nature, including legal services, provided that the contract shall be made or awarded directly by the authority;

(5) When the authority has advertised for bids and has received no bids in response to its advertisement, or received no responsive bids. Any purchase, contract, or agreement may then be negotiated and may be awarded to any contractor or supplier determined to be responsible, as “responsible” is defined in section 2 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-2), provided that the terms, conditions, restrictions, and specifications set forth in the negotiated contract or agreement are not substantially different from those which were the subject of competitive bidding;

(6) When a purchase is to be made through or by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1959, c.40 (C. 52:27B-56.1), or through a contract made by any of the following: the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority established under section 4 of P.L.1971, c.137 (C. 5:10-4); the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission established under section 5 of P.L.1968, c.404 (C. 13:17-5); the New Jersey Turnpike Authority established under section 3 of P.L.1948, c.454 (C. 27:23-3); the New Jersey Water Supply Authority established under section 4 of P.L.1981, c.293 (C. 58:1B-4); the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey established under R.S.32:1-4; the Delaware River Port Authority established under R.S.32:3-2; or the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established under N.J.S. 18A:71A-3

L.2010, c.51, s.15.