Chap. 172.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 6 of chapter 392 of the
Acts of Assembly of 1924, known as the centralized purchasing law.
[S B 249]
Approved March 18, 1926.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sec-
tion six of chapter three hundred and ninety-two of the acts of as-
sembly of nineteen hundred and twenty-four, known as the cen-
tralized purchasing law, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as
follows:

Section 6. The State purchasing commission shall have power,
by general rule or special order, to permit purchases of any material,
equipment or supplies whatsoever to be made by any using agency
directly, and not through the State purchasing agent, whenever it
shall appear to the satisfaction of the commission that by reason of
the excess transportation costs, a lower price with equal quality can
be obtained by the using agency, or for any other reason, which, in
the judgment of the commission, warrants such exemption. The
commission shall give preference to State and local communities when
materials, equipment and supplies can be purchased at the same price
for the same quality as elsewhere.

But it is expressly provided that unless otherwise ordered by the
governor, the purchasing of materials, equipment and supplies through
State purchasing agent is not mandatory in the following cases:

First. Telephone and telegraph service, and electric light and
power service, and such materials, equipment and supplies as are inci-
dent to the performance of a contract for labor or for labor and ma-
terial.

Second. Technical intruments and supplies, and technical books
and other printed matter on technical subjects; also manuscripts,
maps, books, pamphlets and periodicals purchased for the use of the
Virginia State library or any other library in the State supported in
whole or in part by the State appropriation.

Third. Perishable articles, such as fresh vegetables, fresh fish,
eggs, and milk; provided, that no other article shall be considered
perishable within the meaning of this clause unless so classified by
the State purchasing commission.

Fourth. Emergency purchases for immediate delivery to meet
exigencies arising from unforseen causes, including delays by con-
tractors, delays in transportation and an unforeseen volume of work
in the department affected.

Fifth. Automobile license number plates.

Sixth. Materials, equipment and supplies needed by the State
highway commission.

The several State institutions in the purchase of all materials and
supplies in excess of one hundred dollars shall be subject to the pro-
visions of this act as follows:

Provided, however, that the institution may submit bids together
with samples from local concerns under the same rules and regula-
tions as promulgated by the State purchasing commission for the sub-
mission of other competitive bids, and should the same be of equal
value, grade, quality and price, then the State purchasing agent shall
accept such local bids.

,Nothing in this act contained shall be construed as intending to
alter or repeal existing laws concerning the public printing and binding.