reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 45-54-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-54 - Municipal Detention Facility Corporations|Section 45-54-24 - Applicability of other laws.

§ 45-54-24. Applicability of other laws.This chapter shall be construed to provide a complete additional and alternative method for doing the things authorized hereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and in addition to the powers conferred by other laws. The issuance of all bonds, notes, and other obligations of the corporation under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other provision of any charter or other law, general, special or local, or of any rule or regulation of the state or the municipality applicable to the issuance of bonds. No proceedings or notice or approval are required for the issuance of any bonds, or any instrument of security for them, except as provided in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 421, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-54-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-54 - Municipal Detention Facility Corporations|Section 45-54-25 - Liberal construction.

§ 45-54-25. Liberal construction.This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 421, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-54-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-54 - Municipal Detention Facility Corporations|Section 45-54-26 - Inconsistent provisions.

§ 45-54-26. Inconsistent provisions.Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any charter or other law or ordinance, general, special, or local, or of any rule or regulation of the state or any municipality, the provisions of this chapter are controlling.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 421, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-54-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-54 - Municipal Detention Facility Corporations|Section 45-54-27 - Severability.

§ 45-54-27. Severability.If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences, or parts of this chapter shall, for any reason, be adjudged unconstitutional or otherwise invalid in any court, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remaining provisions, but shall be confined in its operation to the specific provisions so held unconstitutional or invalid; and the inapplicability or invalidity of any section, clause, or provision of this chapter in any one or more instances or circumstances shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way its applicability or validity in any other instance.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 421, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-54-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-54 - Municipal Detention Facility Corporations|Section 45-54-28 - Construction.

§ 45-54-28. Construction.Whenever the context permits in this chapter, the use of the plural includes the singular and the plural, and the use of any gender is deemed to include all genders.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 421, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-1 - Legislative findings.

§ 45-55-1. Legislative findings.It is declared that a need exists to establish a uniform system for the award of contracts by municipalities, utilizing open cooperative bids.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-2 - Method of source selection.

§ 45-55-2. Method of source selection.Except as otherwise authorized by law, all municipal contracts shall be awarded by:(1) Competitive sealed bidding, pursuant to § 45-55-5;(2) Competitive negotiations, pursuant to § 45-55-6;(3) Non-competitive negotiations, pursuant to §§ 45-55-7 and 45-55-8;(4) Small purchase procedures, pursuant to § 45-55-9; and(5) Qualification-based selection (QBS) process for architects/engineers pursuant to § 45-55-8.1, and program managers, construction managers, or construction managers at risk pursuant to § 45-55-8.2.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 276, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 219, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 323, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-3 - Purchasing agent - Appointment - Duties.

§ 45-55-3. Purchasing agent — Appointment — Duties.Within each city or town or quasi public agency there shall be designated a person or persons to act as purchasing officer to exercise the powers and duties as established in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-5 - Competitive sealed bidding.

§ 45-55-5. Competitive sealed bidding.(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.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 276, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-5.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-5.1 - Business exempt.

§ 45-55-5.1. Business exempt.The North Kingstown Bus Contractors Association and the Scituate School Bus Owners Club are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 33, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-5.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-5.2 - Town of North Smithfield - Exemption.

§ 45-55-5.2. Town of North Smithfield — Exemption.The town of North Smithfield is exempt from the provisions of this chapter with regard to the contracting for fire and rescue services with the Primrose Volunteer Fire Department and/or North Smithfield Fire Department and/or their respective successors and assigns.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 472, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 329, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-6 - Competitive negotiation.

§ 45-55-6. Competitive negotiation.(a) When, under regulations adopted by the city or town council, the purchasing agent determines, in writing, that the use of competitive sealed bidding is not practicable, and except as provided in §§ 45-55-8, 45-55-9, and 45-55-10 a contract may be awarded by competitive negotiation.(b) Adequate public notice of the request for proposals shall be given in the same manner as provided in § 45-55-5(c).(c) Contracts may be competitively negotiated when it is determined, in writing, by the purchasing agent that the bid prices received by competitive sealed bidding either are unreasonable as to all or part of the requirements, or were not independently reached in open competition, and for which:(1) Each competitive bidder has been notified of the intention to negotiate and is given reasonable opportunity to negotiate; and(2) The negotiated price is lower than the lowest rejected bid by any competitive bidder; and(3) The negotiated price is the lowest negotiated price offered by a competitive offeror.(d) The request for proposals shall indicate the relative importance of price and other evaluation factors.(e) Award shall be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined, in writing, to be the most advantageous to the municipality taking into consideration price and the evaluation factors stated in the request for proposals.(f) Written or oral discussions shall be conducted with all responsible offerors who submit proposals determined, in writing, to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. Discussions shall not disclose any information derived from proposals submitted by competing offerors. Discussions need not be conducted:(1) With respect to prices, where prices are fixed by law or regulation, except that consideration shall be given to competitive terms and conditions; or(2) Where time of delivery or performance will not permit discussions; or(3) Where it can be clearly demonstrated and documented from the existence of adequate competition or accurate prior cost experience with the particular supply, service, or construction item, that acceptance of an initial offer without discussion would result in fair and reasonable prices, and the request for proposals notifies all offerors of the possibility that award may be made on the basis of the initial offers.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 276, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-7 - Negotiations after unsuccessful competitive sealed bidding.

§ 45-55-7. Negotiations after unsuccessful competitive sealed bidding.(a) In the event that all bids submitted pursuant to competitive sealed bidding under § 45-55-5 result in bid prices in excess of the funds available for the purchase, and the purchasing officer determines in writing:(1) That there are no additional funds available from any source to permit an award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; and(2) The best interest of the municipality will not permit the delay attendant to a resolicitation under revised specifications, or for revised quantities, under competitive sealed bidding as provided in § 45-55-5, then a negotiated award may be made as stated in subsections (b) or (c) of this section.(b) Where there is more than one bidder, competitive negotiations pursuant to § 45-55-6, shall be conducted with the three (3) (two (2) if there are only two (2)) bidders determined, in writing, to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidders to the competitive sealed bid invitation. Competitive negotiations shall be conducted under the following restrictions:(1) If discussions pertaining to the revision of the specifications or quantities are held with any potential offeror, all other potential offerors shall be afforded an opportunity to take part in the discussions; or(2) A request for proposals, based upon revised specifications or quantities, shall be issued as promptly as possible, shall provide for an expeditious response to the revised requirements, and shall be awarded upon the basis of the lowest bid price, or lowest evaluated bid price submitted by any responsive and responsible offeror.(c) When after competitive sealed bidding, it is determined, in writing, that there is only one responsive and responsible bidder, a noncompetitive negotiated award may be made with that bidder in accordance with § 45-55-8.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-8 - Sole source procurement and emergency procurements.

§ 45-55-8. Sole source procurement and emergency procurements.(a) A contract may be awarded for a supply, service, or construction item without competition when, under published regulations, the purchasing officer determines, in writing, that there is only one source for the required supply, service, or construction item.(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the purchasing agent may make or authorize others to make emergency procurements when there exists a threat to public health, welfare, or safety under emergency conditions as defined in regulations or where the procurement will be in the best interest of the city as established by properly promulgated rules and regulations; provided, that emergency procurements shall be made with as much competition as is practicable under the circumstances. A written determination of the basis for the emergency, and for the selection of the particular contractor, shall be included in the contract file.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-8.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-8.1 - Qualification-based selection of architects and engineers.

§ 45-55-8.1. Qualification-based selection of architects and engineers.(a) When the purchasing agent determines that the city or town needs the services of a professional architect or engineer, the purchasing agent shall follow the qualification-based selection process for the procurement of architectural and engineering consulting services.(b) Federal requirements. In the procurement of architectural, engineering, and consulting services and in the awarding of contracts, the city or town shall comply with federal law and regulations including, but not limited to, Pub. L. No. 92-582 (Federal Architect-Engineer Selection Law, Brooks Law, 40 U.S.C. § 541) and take all necessary steps to adapt its rules, specifications, policies, and procedures accordingly to remain eligible for federal aid.(c) Prequalification. Cities and towns may establish procedures to prequalify firms seeking to provide architectural, engineering, and consultant services or may use prequalification lists from other state agencies to meet the requirements of this section.(d) No city or town, prior to selecting a firm for negotiation during procurement under this section, shall seek formal or informal submission of verbal or written estimates of costs or proposals in terms of dollars, hours required, percentage of construction cost, or any other measure of compensation.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 276, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 284, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 362, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-8.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-8.2 - Qualification-based selection of program managers, construction managers, or construction managers at risk.

§ 45-55-8.2. Qualification-based selection of program managers, construction managers, or construction managers at risk.When the purchasing agent determines that the city or town needs the services of a program manager, construction manager, or construction manager at risk, the purchasing agent shall follow the regulations, as defined in § 45-55-4(16), for qualification-based selection for the procurement of such services.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 219, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 323, § 2.
RI Gen L § 45-55-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-9 - Small purchases.

§ 45-55-9. Small purchases.Procurements, not to exceed an aggregate amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for construction and five thousand dollars ($5,000) for all other purchases may be made in accordance with small purchase regulations promulgated by the municipality. These amounts shall be increased or decreased annually hereafter at the same rate as the Boston Regional Consumer Price Index. Procurement requirements shall not be artificially divided so as to constitute a small purchase under this section. A municipality may further reduce the aggregate purchase amount, as provided for in this section by ordinance.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-10 - Cancellation of invitation for bids and requests for proposals.

§ 45-55-10. Cancellation of invitation for bids and requests for proposals.An invitation for bids, a request for proposals, or other solicitation may be cancelled, or all bids or proposals rejected, if it is determined, in writing, that action if taken is not in the best interest of the municipality and approved by the chief purchasing officer.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-11 - Responsibilities of bidders and offerors.

§ 45-55-11. Responsibilities of bidders and offerors.(a) A written determination of responsibility of a bidder or offeror shall be made in accordance with regulations issued by the municipality.(b) A reasonable inquiry to determine the responsibility of a bidder or offeror may be conducted. The failure of a bidder or offeror to promptly supply information in connection with a reasonable inquiry may be grounds for a determination of nonresponsibility with respect to a bidder or offeror.(c) Except as otherwise provided, by law, information furnished by a bidder or offeror pursuant to this section may not be disclosed outside of the purchasing department administering the contract without prior written consent of the bidder or offeror.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-12 - Prequalification of contractors - General.

§ 45-55-12. Prequalification of contractors — General.The municipality may provide for prequalification of suppliers as responsible prospective contractors for particular types of supplies, services, and construction. Municipalities which choose to provide for prequalification of suppliers shall adopt regulations for prequalification in the same manner provided for in the adoption of ordinances in the manner provided for in the legislative or home rule charter of the municipality. Solicitation mailing lists of potential contractors of supplies, services, and construction shall include, but need not be limited to, prequalified contractors. Prequalification shall not foreclose a written determination:(1) Between the time of the bid opening or receipt of offers and the making of an award, that a prequalified supplier is not responsible; or(2) That a supplier who is not prequalified at the time of bid opening or receipt of offers is responsible.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-13 - Exclusion of state mandated costs.

§ 45-55-13. Exclusion of state mandated costs.The provisions of §§ 45-13-7 through 45-13-10 do not apply to this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-13.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-13.1 - Exclusion of multi-cities or towns insurance corporations and cooperative risk management programs.

§ 45-55-13.1. Exclusion of multi-cities or towns insurance corporations and cooperative risk management programs.The provisions of this chapter do not apply to entities organized pursuant to § 45-5-20.1. Those entities are exempt from all of the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1995, ch. 273, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-13.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-13.2 - Exclusion of multi-cities or towns energy aggregation programs.

§ 45-55-13.2. Exclusion of multi-cities or towns energy aggregation programs.The provisions of this chapter do not apply to entities organized for the purpose of negotiating the purchase of electric power pursuant to § 39-3-1.1, or energy or energy related services. Those entities are exempt from all provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 19, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-13.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-13.3 - Exclusion of multi-school district combined purchasing consortia.

§ 45-55-13.3. Exclusion of multi-school district combined purchasing consortia.The provisions of this chapter do not apply to purchases and contracts entered into by those consortia established pursuant to § 16-2-9.2, and such entities shall be exempt from all provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 349, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 355, § 2.
RI Gen L § 45-55-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-14 - Staff consultants.

§ 45-55-14. Staff consultants.The procurement of the service of an attorney, physician or dentist by a municipality, is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-55-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts|Section 45-55-15 - Severability.

§ 45-55-15. Severability.If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences or parts of this chapter are for any reason adjudged unconstitutional or otherwise invalid in any court, that judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this chapter but shall be confined in its operation to the specific provisions so held unconstitutional or invalid and the inapplicability or invalidity of any section, clause or provisions of this chapter in any one or more instances or circumstances shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way its applicability or validity in any other instance.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 394, § 1.