(a) Unless this code specifically provides to the contrary, all spending units, whenever possible, shall base purchases for commodities and services on a competitive process and utilize available statewide contracts.(b) The secretary shall issue a notice to cease and desist to any spending unit when the secretary has credible evidence that a spending unit has failed, whenever possible, to purchase commodities and services on a competitive basis or to use available statewide contracts. Failure to abide by such notice may result in penalties set forth in section seventeen, article three of this chapter.
West Virginia Legal Code