§ 258-a. Purchases by museums, historical societies, zoological
gardens, aquariums, botanical gardens and arboreta through office of
general services. Museums, historical societies, zoological gardens,
aquariums, botanical gardens and arboreta which are chartered or
incorporated by the regents or otherwise formed pursuant to section two
hundred sixteen of this chapter or otherwise pursuant to the laws of
this state and are also non-profit organizations may make purchases of
commodities and services through the office of general services subject
to such rules as may be established from time to time pursuant to
section one hundred sixty-three of the state finance law; provided that
each such purchase shall have a cost of five hundred dollars or more and
that said museum, historical society, zoological garden, aquarium,
botanical garden or arboreta shall accept sole responsibility for any
payment of such cost due the vendor.