Whenever the superintendent of purchases and printing or the director of transportation finds that personal property can be obtained from the federal government at prices less than would be obtained by taking bids as provided by law for the purchase from private persons, said superintendent or said director may purchase, lease, or obtain the use of said property directly from the federal government without the necessity of advertising to obtain bids, without notice, and upon such formalities and such terms as are required by the federal government.

Any political subdivision of the state may likewise purchase such surplus commodities from the federal government without the necessity of advertising to obtain bids irrespective of the amount of money involved. Such purchase may be made through the superintendent or directly from the federal government.