Except in cases of sole-source purchases pursuant to G.S. 143-129(e)(6) and cases
of purchases from established contracts pursuant to G.S. 143-129(g), unless otherwise
provided by law, the provisions of this division shall apply to the purchase of apparatus,
supplies, materials or equipment requiring the estimated expenditure of municipal
funds in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 for any one item or group of similar items.