Chap. 139.—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, as
amended. [H B 223]

Approved March 10, 1928

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
six of chapter three hundred and ninety-two of the acts of assembly
of nineteen hundred and twenty-four, known as the centralized pur-
chasing law, as amended, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as
follows:

Section 6. The division of purchase and printing 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 direction of said division, whenever it
shall appear to the satisfaction of the division 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 division
shall, in the purchase of materials, equipment and supplies, give prefer-
ence, so far as may be practicable, to materials, equipment and supplies
produced in Virginia and/or sold by Virginia persons, firms and
corporations, and only soft winter wheat flour shall be purchased for,
or used at State supported institutions. Except that the three sana-
toriums for tuberculosis, the University hospital at Charlottesville, and
the Memorial hospital at Richmond may use fifty per cent. of spring
wheat flour.

But it is expressly provided that unless otherwise ordered by the
governor, the purchasing of materials, equipment and supplies through
the division of purchase and printing is not mandatory in the follow-
ing 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 mate-
rial.

Second.—Technical instruments and supplies, and technical books
and other printed matter on technical subjects; also manuscripts, maps,
hooks, 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
division of purchase and printing.

Fourth—Emergency purchases for immediate delivery to meet
exigencies arising from unforeseen 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 provi-
sions of this act as follows:

Provided, however, that the institution may submit bids together
with samples from local concerns under the same rules and regulations
as promulgated by the division of purchase and printing for the sub-
mission of other competitive bids, and should the same be of equal
value, grade, quality and price, then the division of purchase and
priting 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 bind-
ing.