(a) Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, a spending unit may utilize the process described in this section to standardize purchases of commodities used by the spending unit on a repeated basis. Such standardization may result in a determination that only a specific brand name for the commodity in question will be used.
(b) Standardization is limited to commodities that represent a core function of the spending unit’s mission; would yield a savings of time and money if standardized; and either require testing or evaluation to determine accuracy or consistency or require interoperability in a larger system or network. Savings of time and money must be shown without considering the traditional procurement process or the standardization process.
(c) Any standardization established under this section shall be valid for no more than four years. Upon expiration, the spending unit establishing the standardization may either take no action, which would allow the standardization to end, or undertake the process outlined in this section to establish a new standard.
(d) A spending unit desiring to establish a standard must use the following procedure:
(1) The head of the spending unit must identify the commodity to be standardized and request approval from the director to establish a standard. The head of the spending unit shall provide to the director written certification and supporting evidence verifying that the requirements for standardization have been met.