[§304A-112]  Contracts for services provided by the research corporation of the University of Hawaii.  (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when the university determines that neither the university nor another state agency can more effectively or efficiently accomplish the purposes of the sponsored research and training activities, the university shall contract with the research corporation of the University of Hawaii established under section [304A-3001] to provide management and other services as described in subsection (b) to support the university's research and training activities.  Contracts by the university with the research corporation pursuant to this section shall be limited to sponsored research and training projects; except that university projects supported by funds appropriated by the legislature may also be contracted to the research corporation pursuant to rules adopted by the board of regents.

     (b)  Management and other support services provided by the research corporation pursuant to this section may include:

     (1)  The procurement of goods and services;

     (2)  Employment of personnel; and

     (3)  The provision of advance funding for research and training contracts and grants.

These services may be provided by the corporation to the university without regard to chapter 76, 78, 89, or 103D. [L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]