All purchases, contracts or agreements which require public advertisement for bids shall be awarded by the board of trustees to the lowest responsible bidder.
Prior to the award of any other purchase, contract or agreement the estimated cost of which is 20% or more, of the amount set forth in or, commencing January 1, 1985, 20% of the amount determined by the Governor pursuant to subsection b. of section 3 of P.L. 1982, c. 189 (C. 18A:64A-25.3), the contracting agent shall, except in the case of professional services, solicit quotations therefor whenever practicable, and the award thereof shall be made, in accordance with section 3, on the basis of the lowest responsible quotation received which is most advantageous to the county college, price and other factors considered; provided, however, if the contracting agent deems it impractical to solicit competitive quotations or having sought such quotations determines that the award should not be on the basis of the lowest quotation received, the contracting agent shall file a statement of explanation of the reason or reasons therefor, which shall be placed on file with such purchase, contract or agreement.
N.J.S. § 18A:64A-25.19