§ 162. Contracts for professional services of state and municipal
employees. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, general,
special or local, the state and any municipal subdivision thereof and
any department, bureau, board, commission, authority or any other agency
or instrumentality of the state or any municipal subdivision thereof,
are hereby severally authorized and empowered to enter into any contract
or arrangement with the United States of America or any office,
department, agency or instrumentality thereof for the performance at
cost by engineers, architects, draftsmen and chemists employed by the
state or such municipal subdivision, upon such terms and conditions as
may be mutually agreed upon, of any project or work authorized by or
pursuant to any act of congress or the cost of which has been provided
for by an appropriation or contract authorization made by any act of
congress which involves or requires the professional services of such
employees. The making or performance of any such contract or arrangement
shall in no wise be deemed to affect or result in the impairment,
diminution or abridgment of the compensation, or any of the civil
service, retirement and other rights, privileges and immunities of any
employee engaged in the performance of any service thereunder.