Notwithstanding any other law or rule, any two (2) or more school committees may establish joint purchasing agreements between and among themselves or with the Rhode Island Association of School Committees for the purpose of purchasing goods and services. The Rhode Island Association of School Committees, acting on behalf of any school committees that are members of a joint purchasing agreement may seek the services of the Rhode Island division of purchases, department of administration, in procuring items necessary to the operation of the school district(s) and which items are common in usage to those procured by the state, and the division of purchasers shall, upon request by the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, furnish to its lists of supplies and equipment. The Rhode Island Association of School Committees and any consortia created pursuant to a joint purchase agreement under this chapter shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits set forth in § 37-2-56.