The State of Rhode Island has a large number of well-qualified vendors and service-oriented businesses. In instances where contracts are entirely supported by state funds and two (2) or more vendors or service providers are judged to be equal on all other factors, the chief purchasing officer shall select a vendor or service provider whose headquarters or primary place of business is located within the state or secondly select those entities that propose a joint venture with a vendor or service provider whose headquarters or primary place of business is within the state.
This section shall not apply to contracts that are financed in part or in their entirety by the federal government, including, but not limited to, contracts supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).