(a) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts or grants awarded by the department to a qualified service provider pursuant to this chapter shall be exempt from both of the following:
(1) The personal services contracting requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(2) The Public Contract Code and the State Contracting Manual.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts or grants awarded by the department to a service provider pursuant to this chapter shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.