If the city furnishes electric or communication service by means of electric or communication facilities owned or operated by the city, the legislative body, in the resolution ordering work, may provide that the work or improvement of conversion shall be performed for the price or prices specified in the resolution by the city or any department, agency, commission, or officer of the city having the duty of furnishing the service. To that extent, the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 1100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code requiring competitive bidding and the award of the contract to the lowest responsible bidder shall be inapplicable.