Complex sentence: While other contracts had been awarded without advertising for bids as was standard procedure before April 1818, in April of 1818 the newly reorganized Engineer Department required public notice be given for every contract after that date.
Split into simpler sentences: While other contracts had been awarded without advertising for bids as was standard procedure before April 1818. In April of 1818, the newly reorganized Engineer Department required public notice be given for every contract after that date.