R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-38: Issuance of specifications.

(a) The chief purchasing officer shall have responsibility for issuing and maintaining all standard specifications for supplies, services, and construction required by the state. Among its duties, it shall, to the greatest extent practicable:

(1) Prepare and issue standard specifications for supplies, services, and construction commonly required by the state;

(2) Revise all standard specifications to conform to all technical and scientific advances pertaining to the supplies, services, and construction described in those specifications, and to reflect changes in the state’s requirements and user agencies; and

(3) Establish guidelines for drafting specifications.

(b) All specifications shall be drafted so as to maximize, to the extent practicable, competition in fulfillment of the state’s requirements.