FOIA Request to Town of Sparta regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
The Town of Sparta has received a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Old North News, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs. The request, sent on February 1, 2026, seeks access to records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1. The focus is on obtaining information related to procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the city during the immediately preceding calendar month.
Specifically, Old North News has requested copies of records that include solicitation or project titles, 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. Additionally, the news organization prefers to receive these records in electronic format if available.
The request underscores its purpose as gathering information of public interest for dissemination to the public. In case any portion of this request is denied or withheld, Old North News asks for a specific statutory basis for such denial and requests that all reasonably segregable portions of the records be released. As a member of the media involved in reporting news to the public, Old North News also seeks a fee waiver based on its role in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency.
Old North News is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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.
