R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-56-5
The ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district shall provide that the business of the district shall be conducted by a board of commissioners, and by any agents that the ordinance may authorize them to designate, and the ordinance shall further provide the number, qualifications and manner of election of the commissioners. All orders or contracts for expenditures by the board on behalf of the downtown center special services district which are greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be awarded to the lowest responsible qualified bidder only after a public invitation to bid, which shall be advertised in a newspaper having circulation in the downtown center special services district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-56-5