Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 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:

(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: