§ 42-11.1-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless
otherwise specified:
(1) "Contract� means an enforceable agreement entered into by a contractor and a state
agency.
(2) "Contractor� means any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or association:
(i) Selling materials, equipment, or supplies or leasing property or equipment to a state
agency:
(ii) Constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, or repairing buildings or highways for,
or on behalf of, a state agency; or
(iii) Rendering or providing services pursuant to a contract with a state agency, including,
without limitation, services that help people in need.
(3) "Designated payment office� means the office designated by the state agency to which
a proper invoice is to be submitted by a contractor.
(4) "Nonprofit provider� means any not-for-profit firm, partnership, or corporation that
provides services to people in need pursuant to a contract with a state agency. A
nonprofit provider is a contractor for purposes of this chapter. A nonprofit provider
shall not be considered a public benefit corporation for the purposes of § 42-11.1-14.
(5) "Payment date� means the date on which a payment is due according to a contract.
(6) "Proper invoice� means a written request for a contract payment that is submitted
by a contractor setting forth the description, price, and quantity of goods, property,
or services delivered or rendered, in such form and supported by such other substantiating
documentation as the state controller or individual state agency may reasonably require.
In the case of state highway and bridge construction contracts, periodic payment estimates
prepared by the department of transportation shall be considered proper invoices for
purposes of this chapter and such estimates shall be prepared monthly or more often
and shall include the total amount of work done from the date of the prior estimate.
(7) "Receipt of an invoice� means the date on which a proper invoice is actually received
in the designated payment office or the date on which the state agency receives the
purchased goods, property, or services covered by the proper invoice, whichever is
later.
(8) "Required payment date� means the date by which a contract payment must be made in
order for the state government not to become liable for interest payments, pursuant
to subsections (b) and (g) of § 42-11.1-5.
(9) "Set-off� means the reduction by the controller of a payment due to a contractor by
an amount equal to the amount of an unpaid legally enforceable debt owed by the contractor
to the state or any amount that the state is entitled to withhold under the terms
of the contract, or any amount owed by the contractor to the state by way of a statutory
obligation or enforceable lien, of which the contractor had previous knowledge or
notice.
(10) "State agency� means any department, board, bureau, commission, division, office,
council, institution, authority, or committee in the executive, legislative, or judicial
branches of state government; including the University of Rhode Island and all other
quasi-public bodies created by state law whose purpose and function are directly related
to the health, safety, and welfare of the general populace of the state, including
the Rhode Island lottery.
(11) "State funds� means funds held by the general treasurer in the general fund of the
state.