Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5 (2026)

Competitive sealed bidding

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Contracts exceeding the amount provided by § 45-55-9 shall be awarded by competitive bidding unless they are professional engineering/architectural services pursuant to § 45-55-8.1 and it is determined in writing that this method is not practicable. Factors to be considered in determining whether competitive sealed bidding is practicable shall include whether:

(1) Specifications can be prepared that permit award on the basis of either the lowest qualified bid price or the lowest qualified evaluated bid price; and

(2) The available sources, the time and place of performance, and other relevant circumstances as are appropriate for the use of competitive sealed bidding.

(b) The invitation for bids shall state whether award shall be made on the basis of the lowest bid price or the lowest evaluated or responsive bid price. If the latter basis is used, the objective measurable criteria to be utilized shall be stated in the invitation for bids, if available.

(c) Adequate public notice of the invitation for bids shall be given a sufficient time prior to the date stated in the notice for the opening of bids. Notice may include publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the state as determined by the purchasing officer for the municipality not less than seven (7) days nor more than twenty-one (21) days before the date set for opening of the bids. The purchasing officer may make a written determination that the twenty-one (21) day limitation needs to be waived. The written determination shall state the reason why the twenty-one (21) day limitation is being waived and shall state the number of days, giving a minimum and maximum, before the date set for the opening of bids when public notice is to be given.

(d) Bids shall be opened publicly in full view of the public at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids. Each bid, together with the name of the bidder, shall be recorded and an abstract made available for public inspection. Subsequent to the awarding of the bid, all documents pertinent to the awarding of the bid shall be made available and open to public inspection and retained in the bid file.

(e) The contract shall be awarded with reasonable promptness by written notice to the responsive and responsible bidder whose bid is either the lowest bid price, or lowest evaluated or responsive bid price.

(f) Correction or withdrawal of bids may be allowed only to the extent permitted by regulations issued by the purchasing officer.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 1996–2016 · leading case: Kayak Centre at Wickford Cove, LLC d/b/a Kayak Centre of Rhode Island v. Town of Narragansett, 116 A.3d 250 (R.I. 2015).
Kayak Centre at Wickford Cove, LLC d/b/a Kayak Centre of Rhode Island v. Town of Narragansett, 116 A.3d 250 (R.I. 2015). · cites it 47× “1956 chapter 55 of title 45,1 1 The particular section in question is G.L. 1956 § 45-55-5, entitled “Competitive sealed bidding,” and it reads in pertinent part: “(a) Contracts exceeding [ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for construction and five thousand dollars ($5,000) for all…”
H. v. Collins Co. v. Tarro, 696 A.2d 298 (R.I. 1997). · cites it 8× “The defendants have appealed a declaratory judgment of the Superior Court, in which the trial justice declared that the award of a municipal contract by the school committee to Gil-bane violated G.L.1956 § 45-55-5 and the Barrington Town Charter, section 16-2-9.”
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island v. Najarian, 865 A.2d 1074 (R.I. 2005). · cites it 5× “2d at 300, 305 , this Court reversed a trial justice’s declaratory judgment finding that a municipal construction contract awarded by the Barrington School Committee violated G.L. 1956 § 45-55-5, the “Award of Municipal Contracts” statute.”
Coastal Recycling, Inc. v. Connors, 854 A.2d 711 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 6× “II Discussion It is well established that when reviewing the bidding process set forth in § 45-55-5, “the Judiciary will interfere with the award of a state or municipal contract only in the event that the awarding authority has ‘acted corruptly or in bad faith, or so…”
HK&S Constr. Holding Corp. v. Lynne S. Dible, in her Off. capacity as Fin. Dir. & Purchasing Off. of the Town of Middletown, 111 A.3d 407 (R.I. 2015). · cites it 2× “On November 23, 2011, plaintiff amended its complaint, alleging wrongful denial of a municipal contract award under § 45-55-5 3 and seeking compensatory damages.”
Peter Hajian Assocs. v. Bd. of Library Trs./Bldg. Comm. ex rel. Cross, 685 A.2d 283 (R.I. 1996). “In rendering his opinion the trial justice noted that the published request for proposals cited six specific criteria that would be used by the proposal evaluation team, and that because each proposal was evaluated on the basis of these criteria, the invitation for bids…”
Mira Consulting, Inc. v. Bd. of Educ., 2017 NMCA 009 (N.M. Ct. App. 2016). “” R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(e) (1998). Relying on this language and references to “purchases” and “procurement” in the statute, the Kayak Centre court held that “[t]he language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.”
Mira Consulting, Inc. v. Bd. of Educ., 2017 NMCA 9 (N.M. Ct. App. 2016). “” R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(e) (1998). Relying on this language and references to “purchases” and “procurement” in the statute, the Kayak Centre court held that “[t]he language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(2) — 2 cases
H. v. Collins Co. v. Tarro, 696 A.2d 298 (R.I. 1997). “The defendants have appealed a declaratory judgment of the Superior Court, in which the trial justice declared that the award of a municipal contract by the school committee to Gil-bane violated G.L.1956 § 45-55-5 and the Barrington Town Charter, section 16-2-9.”
Peter Hajian Assocs. v. Bd. of Library Trs./Bldg. Comm. ex rel. Cross, 685 A.2d 283 (R.I. 1996). “In rendering his opinion the trial justice noted that the published request for proposals cited six specific criteria that would be used by the proposal evaluation team, and that because each proposal was evaluated on the basis of these criteria, the invitation for bids…”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(e) — 3 cases
Kayak Centre at Wickford Cove, LLC d/b/a Kayak Centre of Rhode Island v. Town of Narragansett, 116 A.3d 250 (R.I. 2015). “1956 chapter 55 of title 45,1 1 The particular section in question is G.L. 1956 § 45-55-5, entitled “Competitive sealed bidding,” and it reads in pertinent part: “(a) Contracts exceeding [ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for construction and five thousand dollars ($5,000) for all…”
Mira Consulting, Inc. v. Bd. of Educ., 2017 NMCA 009 (N.M. Ct. App. 2016). “” R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(e) (1998). Relying on this language and references to “purchases” and “procurement” in the statute, the Kayak Centre court held that “[t]he language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.”
Mira Consulting, Inc. v. Bd. of Educ., 2017 NMCA 9 (N.M. Ct. App. 2016). “” R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5(e) (1998). Relying on this language and references to “purchases” and “procurement” in the statute, the Kayak Centre court held that “[t]he language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.”
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