(1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, purchases of equipment, supplies or other goods and services for use by a client participating in a vocational rehabilitation or independent living program may be made by the director of vocational rehabilitation.
(2) It is the responsibility of the director to develop procedures to ensure, to the extent practicable, that purchases made on behalf of the state are at the lowest possible price while at the same time ensuring timely delivery of services.
(3) The director is authorized to make purchases that do not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) without the necessity of soliciting competitive bids, advertising for bids or other requirements applicable to governing the purchase of goods and services on behalf of the state.