Notwithstanding Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 4525) of Division 5 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the department may advertise and award a contract, in accordance with this article, for a professional service pursuant to this part or Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20, if the contract is individually in an amount equal to, or less than, one million dollars ($1,000,000).