FOIA Request to Avery County regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Old North News to Avery County, North Carolina, seeking access to records related to procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the county during the immediately preceding calendar month. The request was made under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. ยง132-1., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The specific records requested include details such as the solicitation or project title, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The request emphasizes that it seeks existing records only and does not require the creation of new documents.
Old North News highlighted its role as a media organization committed to gathering and reporting news on local governmental affairs. They emphasized that access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Additionally, they requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional.
The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting news media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Of 117 senior students taking the science portion of the ACT in Avery County school districts, 28 (23.9%) were considered ready for college in the 2022-23 school year.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
