(a) The university of Kansas medical center is hereby authorized to make direct purchases of goods and services in amounts of not more than $25,000 for any individual purchase. Each such purchase may be made in the open market or in accordance with such procedures and under such conditions as may be prescribed and established by the director of purchases of the university of Kansas medical center for purchases under this subsection.

(b) The university of Kansas medical center is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with consortiums of health care providers and other purchasing groups for the acquisition of supplies and other materials or equipment for use by the university hospital and to acquire such supplies and other materials or equipment in conjunction with or through such consortiums of health care providers and other purchasing groups. Prior to entering into a contract under this subsection (b), the university of Kansas medical center shall advise and consult with the director of purchases of the department of administration concerning any such contract.

(c) No purchase or other acquisition by the university of Kansas medical center pursuant to this section or any contract entered into by the university of Kansas medical center under this section shall be subject to the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-3739 and amendments thereto and no such purchase, acquisition or contract shall be subject to approval under any other statute other than those contained in article 3 or article 7 of chapter 76 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated.