Section 25. The state purchasing agent shall advise with the several state institutions that make or are able to make products suitable for the needs of state departments, offices and commissions, and with the heads of such departments, offices and commissions, with a view to ascertaining how best to improve or change such products or the quality or price thereof so as to meet the needs of such state departments, offices and commissions, and may make to such institutions such recommendations relating thereto as seem best.