N.Y. Educ. Law § 258-A
Museums, historical societies, zoological gardens, aquariums, botanical gardens and arboreta which are chartered or incorporated by the regents or otherwise formed pursuant to section two hundred sixteen of this chapter or otherwise pursuant to the laws of this state and are also non-profit organizations may make purchases of commodities and services through the office of general services subject to such rules as may be established from time to time pursuant to section one hundred sixty-three of the state finance law; provided that each such purchase shall have a cost of five hundred dollars or more and that said museum, historical society, zoological garden, aquarium, botanical garden or arboreta shall accept sole responsibility for any payment of such cost due the vendor.
N.Y. Educ. Law § 258-A