The Department of Forests and Waters¹ is hereby authorized to consult, cooperate, negotiate, and with the approval of the Governor, enter into contracts and other agreements with the Federal Government, or any appropriate agency thereof. The General State Authority, any State or local agency, department, board, bureau, commission, or any political subdivisions, municipality authority, corporation, association, person or persons, for cooperation and assistance in planning, constructing, financing, maintaining and operating, any works or facilities needed to carry out the purposes of this act: Provided, That all work of any character whatsoever performed under the authority of this act, except as undertaken by its own forces, or other agencies of the Commonwealth, or of the Federal Government or any appropriate agency thereof or The General State Authority shall be performed under written contract let by the Department of Forests and Waters to the lowest responsible bidder, after due advertising as provided by law and in accordance² with plans and specifications prepared by the department.