The Commissioner of Administrative Services may serve as the contracting agent for a group of three or more municipalities that seek to purchase supplies, materials or equipment, upon the request of such group of municipalities, provided (1) the commissioner determines that the municipalities will achieve a cost savings through the commissioner serving as the contracting agent, and (2) such cost savings are greater than the administrative costs to the state for the commissioner serving as the contracting agent. As the contracting agent for such a group of municipalities, the Commissioner of Administrative Services may perform administrative functions in accordance with state procurement laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the following: Issuing requests for bids or proposals, selecting the successful bidder based on competitive bidding or competitive negotiation and administering any contracts for such purchases. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the state to be a party to any such contract entered into pursuant to this section.