Reverse auctions. Use by contracting agencies authorized

(a) For the purposes of this section: (1) “Reverse auction” means an on-line bidding process in which qualified bidders or qualified proposers, anonymous to each other, submit bids or proposals to provide goods, supplies or services pursuant to an invitation to bid or request for proposals; (2) “Contracting agency” means a state agency with statutory authority to award contracts for goods, supplies or services, or a political subdivision of the state or school district; and (3) “Services” does not include construction or construction-related services. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, whenever a contracting agency determines that the use of a reverse auction is advantageous to the contracting agency and will ensure a competitive contract award, the contracting agency may use a reverse auction to award a contract for goods, supplies or services, in accordance with any applicable requirement of the general statutes and policies of the contracting agency. The contracting agency may contract with a third party to prepare and manage any such reverse auction.