Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 904.808. State purchasing requirements--exceptions

a. When the purchase is made under emergency circumstances, which shall be explained in writing by the public body or officer who made or authorized the purchase if the state director so requests; or

b. When the state director releases, in writing, the obligation of the department or agency to purchase the product from Iowa state industries, after determining that Iowa state industries is unable to meet the performance characteristics of the purchase request for the product, and a copy of the release is attached to the request to the director of the department of administrative services for payment for a similar product, or when Iowa state industries is unable to furnish needed products, comparable in both quality and price to those available from alternative sources, within a reasonable length of time. Any disputes arising between a purchasing department or agency and Iowa state industries regarding similarity of products, or comparability of quality or price, or the availability of the product, shall be referred to the director of the department of administrative services, whose decision shall be subject to appeal as provided in section 8A.313. However, if the purchasing department is the department of administrative services, any matter which would be referred to the director under this paragraph shall be referred to the executive council in the same manner as if the matter were to be heard by the director of the department of administrative services. The decision of the executive council is final.