(a) If the estimated amount of a proposed contract for the purchase of vehicles, equipment, or supplies is more than $15,000, the board shall ask for competitive bids in accordance with the bidding procedures provided by the County Purchasing Act (Subchapter C, Chapter 262, Local Government Code) except that the bids shall be presented to the board and the board shall award the contract.
(b) This section does not apply to purchases of property from public agencies or to contracts for personal or professional services.