(b) Every bid hereafter made to the state or any public department or agency thereof, where competitive bidding is not required by statute, rule or regulation, for work or services performed or to be performed or goods sold or to be sold, may contain, at the discretion of the department, agency or official, the certification required pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision. 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the statement required by paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section may be submitted electronically in accordance with the provisions of subdivision seven of section one hundred sixty-three of this chapter. 3. A bid shall not be considered for award nor shall any award be made to a bidder who has not complied with subdivision one of this section; provided, however, that if the bidder cannot make the foregoing certification, such bidder shall so state and shall furnish with the bid a signed statement which sets forth in detail the reasons therefor. 4. Any bid hereafter made to the state or any public department, agency or official thereof, by a corporate bidder for work or services performed or to be performed or goods sold or to be sold, where such bid contains the statement required by subdivision one of this section, shall be deemed to have been authorized by the board of directors of such bidder, and such authorization shall be deemed to include the signing and submission of such bid and the inclusion therein of such statement as the act and deed of the corporation.