(a) Exceptions to Section 35-30 are allowed for sole source procurements, emergency procurements, and at the discretion of the chief procurement officer or the State purchasing officer, but not their designees, for professional and artistic contracts that are nonrenewable, one year or less in duration, and have a value of less than $100,000.
     (b) All exceptions granted under this Article must still be submitted to the chief procurement officer for matters other than construction or the higher education chief procurement officer, whichever is appropriate, and published as provided for in subsection (f) of Section 35-30, shall name the authorizing chief procurement officer or State purchasing officer, and shall include a brief explanation of the reason for the exception.