As used in this section “license plate” means the plate used to externally evidence registration of a vehicle under chapter 8 of Kansas Statutes Annotated. Prior to November 1 of each year, the director of vehicles shall furnish the secretary of revenue with complete and detailed specifications for the manufacture of all license plates and registration decals, together with the number required for delivery in the succeeding year for use during the following year, and the state corporation commission shall furnish the secretary of revenue with complete and detailed specifications for the manufacture of identification tags together with the number required for delivery in the succeeding year for use in the following year. The secretary of revenue shall cause to be manufactured all license plates and registration decals and state corporation commission identification tags based on such specifications and estimates. For such purpose, the secretary of revenue shall enter into a contract for the manufacture of license plates, tags and decals with any organization or institution designated in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 39-1208, and amendments thereto. Any such contract may provide that the secretary of revenue shall furnish or cause to be furnished the materials and supplies necessary for the manufacture and distribution of license plates, tags and decals if, in the opinion of the secretary of revenue, a reduction in the cost of manufacturing and distribution of the license plates, tags and decals under such contract will be achieved. Subject to the foregoing, the cost to the state for the manufacture of the license plates, tags and decals pursuant to any contract entered into under this section shall be substantially equivalent to such costs under prior contracts, with the cost of license plates increased in the amount of the cost of coating with reflective material, but any such contract shall not be subject to the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3739, and amendments thereto. Except as authorized by other provisions of law, license plates, beginning in the year in which new license plates are issued pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 8-132, and amendments thereto, shall be lettered, numbered and designed as provided in this section. Each license plate shall contain a combination of three letters followed by a combination of three numerals, except that once all allowable combinations of letters and numerals have been used, each license plate shall contain an arrangement of numerals or letters, or both, as shall be assigned by the secretary of revenue. The arrangement of numerals and letters of license plates shall be uniform throughout each classification of registration. The secretary may provide for the arrangement of the numerals and letters in groups or otherwise and for other distinguishing marks on such license plates. The secretary of revenue shall design decals to be affixed to the license plates to identify the county by two letters chosen from the name of the county distinctly indicative of the name of the county in which the vehicle is registered and the date registration is to expire. The letters and numerals of such license plates shall be in such contrast of colors to the background of the license plate as to make such letters and numerals easily read. As new license plates are issued, the face of every license plate shall be completely coated with a reflective material. The reflectorized material shall be of such nature as to provide effective and dependable performance in the promotion of highway safety and vehicle identification throughout the service period for which the license plates are issued. The sum of $.50 shall be added to the cost of each reflectorized license plate. The director shall change the color of such license plates every time new license plates are issued under subsection (b) of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 8-132, and amendments thereto. The quantity of license plates and registration decals to be furnished each county shall be computed upon the basis of the number of motor vehicles registered and reregistered in such county for the preceding year, and additional license plates and decals shall be furnished as required. Any contract entered into pursuant to this section for the manufacture of license plates and decals shall provide that the license plates and decals, other than prorate license plates and prorate backing plates, shall be shipped directly to the treasurer of the county where they are to be used. Any such contract for the manufacture of state corporation commission identification tags shall provide that such tags shall be shipped directly to the state corporation commission.