Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-4-403: Purchase of materials without formal procedures

(a) Notwithstanding another law, and except as provided in subsection (b), the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee may make purchases of materials, services, equipment, stock, and merchandise for use in a business enterprise program for the blind without the necessity of taking bids for the purchases, advertising bids for such purchases, or complying with other restrictions governing the purchase of goods and services generally on behalf of this state.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to the purchase of software for use in inmate commissary facilities.