(1) Authority. In an amount up to fifty thousand dollars in actual or potential value, individual governmental bodies may make direct procurements not under term contracts. Subject to the following and subject to any ensuing regulations:

(a) the board may assign differential dollar limits below which individual governmental bodies may make direct procurements not under term contracts. The Division of Procurement Services shall review the respective governmental body’s internal procurement operation, shall certify in writing that it is consistent with the provisions of this code and the ensuing regulations, and recommend to the board those dollar limits for the respective governmental body’s procurement not under term contract; and

(b) the Director of the Division of Procurement Services may authorize an individual governmental body to make direct procurements not under term contracts in an amount up to one hundred fifty thousand dollars. All authority granted pursuant to this item must be in writing, and the director shall advise the board in writing of all such authorizations.

(2) Policy. Authorizations granted by the board or the Director of the Division of Procurement Services to a governmental body are subject to the following:

(a) adherence to the provisions of this code and the ensuing regulations, particularly concerning competitive procurement methods;

(b) responsiveness to user needs;

(c) obtaining the best prices for value received.

(3) Adherence to Provisions of the Code. All procurements shall be subject to all the appropriate provisions of this code, especially regarding competitive procurement methods and nonrestrictive specifications.

(4) Subject to subsection (1), the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, in coordination with the appropriate chief procurement officer, may approve a cumulative total of up to fifty thousand dollars in additional procurement authority for technical colleges, provided that the Division of Procurement Services makes no material audit findings concerning procurement. As provided by regulation, any authority granted pursuant to this paragraph is effective when certified in writing by the Division of Procurement Services.