R.I. Gen. Laws § 13-7-8.1: Requisition of goods by cities and towns.

When the purchasing agent or the managing officer of any city or town office, department, or institution, has occasion to purchase any articles, services or materials similar to those produced at the adult correctional institutions, he or she shall notify the director of corrections of the intention to purchase and shall allow the adult correctional institutions to bid on any proposal. The adult correctional institutions shall be placed on any invitation to bid list which is in effect for any city or town. Purchases under this section shall include those defined in § 37-2-22.