§ 143-48.2.  Procurement program for nonprofit work centers for the blind and the severely disabled.

(a) An agency subject to the provisions of this Article for the procurement of goods may purchase goods directly from a nonprofit work center for the blind and severely disabled, subject to the following provisions:

(1) The purchase may not exceed the applicable expenditure benchmark under G.S. 143-53.1.

(2) The goods must not be available under a State requirements contract, except as provided in G.S. 143-129.5, or available from Correction Enterprises as provided in G.S. 148-134.

(3) The goods must be of suitable price and quality, as determined by the agency.

(b) An agency subject to the provisions of this Article for the procurement of services may purchase services directly from a nonprofit work center for the blind and severely disabled, subject to the following provisions:

(1) The services must not be available under a State requirements contract, except as provided in G.S. 143-129.5, or available from Correction Enterprises as provided in G.S. 148-134.

(2) The services must be of suitable price and quality, as determined by the agency.

(c) The provisions of G.S. 143-52 shall not apply to purchases made pursuant to this section. However, nothing in this section shall prohibit a nonprofit work center for the blind and severely disabled from submitting bids or making offers for contracts under G.S. 143-52.

(d) For the purpose of this subsection, a "nonprofit work center for the blind and severely disabled" has the same meaning as under G.S. 143-48. (1995, c. 265, ss. 3, 5; 1999-20, s. 1; 2021-180, s. 20.12(b).)