(1) The commission is hereby authorized to permit bids invited by officials, departments, institutions and agencies of the state for building construction or improvements, to be performed or done in counties having a population of six hundred thousand (600,000) or more, according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census, to be received and publicly opened in the county at a previously announced place and time by a representative of the state, and that such representative to receive and open the bids may be, but is not limited to, a duly licensed architect or engineer designated by the state.
(2) The commission is authorized to permit bids invited by officials, departments, institutions and agencies of the state for building construction or improvements, to be performed or done in the eastern or western grand division, to be received and publicly opened in such grand division at a previously announced place and time by a representative of the state. Such bids shall be received and opened in the cities of Chattanooga or Knoxville, or the Tri-Cities area for the eastern grand division and in Shelby County or the city of Jackson for the western grand division.