The following procurement methods are authorized at the procurement officer’s discretion, where applicable: competitive sealed bids under § 13–103 of this subtitle; competitive sealed proposals under § 13–104 or § 13–105 of this subtitle; noncompetitive negotiation under § 13–106 of this subtitle; sole source procurement under § 13–107 of this subtitle; emergency or expedited procurement under § 13–108 of this subtitle; small procurement under § 13–109 of this subtitle; an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement under § 13–110 of this subtitle; auction bids under § 13–111 of this subtitle; architectural, engineering, and land surveying services qualification based selection under § 13–112 of this subtitle; master contracting under § 13–113 of this subtitle; legislative fast–track procurements under § 13–117 of this subtitle; or competitive proof of concept procurements under § 13–116 of this subtitle. In awarding a procurement contract for human, social, cultural, or educational service, the preferred method is by competitive sealed proposals under § 13–104 of this subtitle. In awarding a procurement contract for a lease of real property, the preferred method is by competitive sealed proposals under § 13–105 of this subtitle. Procurement under an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement is appropriate in situations where the State is expected to achieve a better price as the result of economies of scale or to otherwise benefit by purchasing in cooperation with another governmental entity.