(a) All agencies shall contract through the authority for any technology resource purchase of such agency exceeding $100,000.00; provided, however, that the provisions of this Code section shall not have application to full-time state personnel tasked with the planning, implementation, and support of technology. The authority shall be authorized to act as the agent of any agency for such purposes. No agency shall divide purchases so as to avoid the thresholds provided for in this Code section and Code Section 50-25-7.3.

(b) Any agency whose direct or indirect appropriation for technology resources is less than $50,000.00 shall not be required to contract through the authority for the purchase of such technology resources.

(c) Nothing in this Code section shall exempt any technology resource purchase from the technical standards and specifications established by the authority unless specifically provided by action of the authority; provided, however, that technical standards established by the authority shall not conflict with mandated federal technical standards or requirements associated with the state administration of federally funded programs.