R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-12
All road construction or improvements made by the director of transportation shall be, and all repairs may be, performed by written contract, made by the department of administration in behalf of the state, and after advertisement, by order of the department of administration has been published at least once in a newspaper of statewide circulation and at least five (5) calendar days before the final date of submitting bids, inviting sealed proposals for the road construction or improvement, to be made under the supervision and subject to the approval of the department of administration, and in accordance with the plans and specifications of the department of transportation; and the advertisement shall state the time and place the plans and specifications may be examined, and when the proposals made in answer to the advertisement will be opened, and shall reserve the right of the department of administration to reject any and all proposals.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-12