Affirmative Market Program (AMP)
Assisting Women and
Minority-Owned Businesses
Participate in Procuring Contracts with State Agencies
Overview
The Affirmative Market Program (AMP), housed at the Operational Services Division was established in 1996 through Executive Order 390 (EO390) 
, “Establishing an Affirmative Market Program in Public Contracting”. EO390 instituted a policy to promote the award of state contracts in a manner that develops and strengthens certified Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). Our mission is to increase business opportunities for M/WBEs and to diversify our workforce.
How Does the AMP Work?
Procurement policies and guidance is provided to all Executive Branch departments and participating state entities to assist them in implementing AMP objectives for all procurements regardless of size. Departments must set their own M/WBE spending targets, called fiscal year benchmarks. Benchmarks are the total dollars a department anticipates spending with M/WBEs and are based upon the department historical spending. Benchmarks are expressed in dollars rather than percentage, and each department calculates a separate benchmark for MBEs & WBEs individually which is tracked and reported annually in the Affrmative Market Program Fiscal Year Report.
AMP Support Services
AMP Support Services provides training and development opportunities for all AMP constituents including departments, municipalities, contractors, and M/WBEs. We make available Training, Development, and Mentoring programs including:
- One-on-One Assistance
- Business-to-Business Mentoring
- Annual Statewide Events
- Networking Opportunities
- “Meet the M/WBE Vendor” Programs
- Vendor Procurement Training: Basic,
- Intermediate & Advanced
- Departmental Educational Trainings
AMP Help Desk Quick Facts - PDF Version  | AMP Help Desk Quick Facts - Text Only Version |
The AMP Help Desk is designed to provide prompt assistance to all AMP constituents including departments, municipalities, contractors, and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
We offer Information, Guidance, and Support as you seek to:
- Develop AMP Partnerships for AMP Plans
- Research M/WBE Availability by Industry
- Identify AMP Department Coordinators
- Expand Marketing Strategies
- Meet AMP Contractual Objectives
Testimonial from an AMP Vendor
“I recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet with many of the agency Affirmative Market Coordinators in a series called Meet the Vendor . It was great to have this intimate forum to explain how my company could help their agencies, but I was also happy to have a chance to thank this group of individuals who work so hard to help build small woman-owned businesses like mine.”
Robin Cohen-Almeida, Chameleon Consulting, Inc., WBE
Please share your notes, suggestions and success stories via email to amp@osd.state.ma.us