(a) The department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis for purpose of administering or implementing any federal grant awarded pursuant to the federal 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), any subsequent amendments to that federal act, or any associated federal regulation or policy guidance.
(b) Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.