(a) The Legislative Services Commission may provide that the provisions of G.S. 143-129 and Article 3 of this Chapter do not apply to purchases by the General Assembly of data processing and data communications equipment, supplies, and services. Such exemption may vary according to the type or amount of purchase, and may vary as to whether the exemption is from some or all of those statutory provisions.
(b) The Legislative Services Commission must give specific approval to any purchase in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) made under an exemption provided by subsection (a) of this section.