The commissioner is empowered to employ an architect after competition among three or more architects of the state, on the basis of the best design submitted, and to contract for the construction of a building with the lowest and best bidder among three or more bidders, after notice in two consecutive issues of any Santa Fe or Albuquerque, New Mexico, newspaper not less than twenty days before the day of letting. The commissioner may either let the work in one entire contract or to different contractors, as the commissioner may deem advisable. The commissioner may reject any or all bids and call for new bids. The commissioner may require a performance bond with surety in an amount he deems necessary from bidders.