Ark. Code Ann. § 19-9-303

Any refunding bonds authorized to be sold by the State of Arkansas or any agency or instrumentality of the state at public sale, notwithstanding the provision for public sale, may, nevertheless, be sold to the United States or any agency thereof at private sale without public advertisement if the bonds are sold at not less than par and at a rate of interest not greater than the rate borne by the bonds to be refunded.