Kevin R. Harris, spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, e-mailed to the media a statement regarding the water meter procurement contract and $185 million bid by Dynis LLC that we have been reporting on. (Latest story.)

The statement elaborates on the mayor’s brief comments at a Wednesday press conference.

Here is the statement in full:

“The Bureau of Purchases coordinates procurement independent of the mayor. It is also important to note that this is a live procurement, and no final award has been made.

“As the process moves forward, the Bureau of Purchases will recommend an award to the Board of Estimates based on a fair and transparent process, which does not involve the mayor at all.

“In fact, many documents pertaining to this matter are already public, and there is nothing to suggest that the mayor is an active participant in this process or any other procurement matter.

“To suggest otherwise is wildly irresponsible and does nothing to advance what should be a shared goal of ensuring that the public is provided accurate information.

“It is important that this process continue as transparently as possible, so that Baltimore’s citizens have the best opportunity to evaluate the public benefit of any proposal, based on its merits.”