About Us

Welcome Message:

Dear State Team Members and Valued Industry Partners,

I want to take a moment to welcome you to the Rhode Island Division of Purchases (DOP). Whether you are newly engaged in supporting Rhode Island state government operations or have served the State for many years, I’m excited about what we can accomplish together as we advance the mission of State Purchasing.

The Division of Purchases serves a vital role in supporting centralized procurement across Rhode Island’s Executive Branch agencies, ensuring that we meet the operational and strategic needs of State government efficiently, responsibly, and with the highest level of integrity. As stewards of public resources, we are uniquely positioned to gain efficiencies in government contracting, leverage innovations in procurement, and drive greater value for Rhode Islanders.

We are at a pivotal time in public procurement—where technology, policy, and process intersect. The evolving landscape offers an opportunity to reimagine how we procure goods and services to be faster, more cost-effective, and outcome-driven. As we look ahead, our focus includes:

Streamlining procurement processes through data-informed decision-making, continuous process improvement, and the thoughtful adoption of modern tools and platforms.
Exploring the governance of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to support more intelligent, compliant, and transparent procurement practices.
Strengthening our policy and regulatory frameworks to reflect best practices, align with federal and state laws, and support the evolving needs of our partners.
Driving change management initiatives that empower staff, increase cross-agency collaboration, and promote a culture of innovation and agility.
Building and nurturing strong relationships with our agency partners, suppliers, and the broader stakeholder community to ensure that procurement decisions reflect the best interests of the State.

The work we do has a direct and measurable impact on the services delivered to Rhode Islanders—from public safety and health to infrastructure and education. Our success depends on our ability to operate as a unified, mission-driven team committed to public service, operational excellence, and continuous learning.

As your State Purchasing Agent, I am proud to lead a team with such depth of talent, experience, and dedication. I look forward to working closely with all of you to enhance the performance of State Purchasing, deliver outstanding results for our customers, and advance the priorities of Rhode Island’s government.

Thank you for the important work you do every day.

With appreciation,
Jay Hauser
Director, State Purchasing Agent
Rhode Island Division of Purchases