SBPP Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report Released

The Operational Services Division’s Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report is now available for download pdf format of SBPP Annual Report FY2011 .

 

Notice to Bidders

The Solicitation for Network Services (ITT46) has been reissued with a bid close date of May 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

To view the Request for Response (RFR), go to www.Comm-PASS.com. Click on the Solicitations Tab, Search for a Solicitation, and type “ITT46” in the document number box. View the OPEN Solicitation by clicking on the eyeglasses icon. The ITT46 Network Services RFR is located under the Forms and Terms Tab.  In addition, there is an online Forum where interested bidders may ask questions under the Forums Tab on Comm-PASS. Search for a Bidder’s Forum and type ITT46 in the Referenced Solicitation Number box. The Forum is open until April 18, 2012.

EPP Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report Released

The Operational Services Division’s Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Program Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report is now available for download. The report showcases the achievements of the EPP Program and the progress made in working with state and local government agencies and departments to promote green procurement processes and implement the directives of Executive Order 515.  The report includes ongoing program initiatives, key accomplishments, over $3M in cost savings, and much more.  Learn more…

Statewide Contract Booklet Winter Edition 2012

The Operational Services Division (OSD) is pleased to announce the Statewide Contract Booklet Winter Edition 2012 is now available online.  Information includes Statewide Contract updates, cost savings opportunities, upcoming training sessions and more! Download the full Adobe® PDF version pdf format of About Statewide Contract & OSD Programs file size 1MB , or word version doc format of About Statewide Contract & OSD Programs file size 1MB or view under Publication and Reports.

Massachusetts Open Checkbook Project

In order to make state spending information accessible to the public, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, the Office of the Treasurer and the Office of the Comptroller have been working jointly on the Open Checkbook Project. On December 5, the public will be able to search state spending from three different perspectives for a specific vendor, for a specific secretariat or department, or for a particular spending category or sub-category. The pages will provide summarized information that the public will be able to explore for further detail, going down to the payment line level. To help answer any questions about the project, a pre-recorded webcast for the Commonwealth Vendors is available on VendorWeb. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) are included in the memo to the Commonwealth Vendors

New Prevailing Wage Requirements doc format of New Prevailing Wage Requirements

Please be advised that payment of prevailing wages may be required for certain statewide and departmental contracts available on the Comm-PASS system. Read more........

 

All Contract Vendors Must Use Electronic Payments by 12/31/2011 doc format of All Contract Vendors Must Use Electronic Payments


All current contract vendors and those entering into contracts with the Commonwealth are expected to begin acceptance of electronic payments by December 31, 2011. Read more.......

Enterprise Temporary Help Services, RFR PRF49

A physical Bidders’ Conference is scheduled for this developing solicitation on November 2, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at One Ashburton Place, 10th Floor (Room 1017), Operational Services Division, Conference Room C. Comm-PASS Training for online bid submissions will also be on November 2, 2011, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, One Ashburton Place, Room 1017, OSD Training Room. Additional information is available on Comm-PASS at www.comm-pass.com under the Solicitation section using Document Number PRF49 for Searching. The Comm-PASS Help Line can be reached through email at comm-pass@state.ma.us.

 

Greening of the Massachusetts State Agencies

The Operational Services Division's Environmental Purchasing Program will join the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Rick Sullivan and other state agency representatives at an event sponsored by the Environmental Business Council (EBC) of New England on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the offices of Wilmer Hale LLP on State Street in Boston from 8:00am-12:00noon. The program, titled Greening of the Massachusetts State Agencies, will feature discussions surrounding the Commonwealth's leadership programs aimed at improving conditions for public health and the environment through procurement and energy conservation, while enhancing job growth in the environmental and energy fields and working toward a balanced economy. Details and a draft program agenda as well as more information on the EBC can be viewed at http://www.ebcne.org/.

Keeping Up With Changing Issues

OSD has a Statewide Contract in place that can provide highly specialized services under the Management Consultants, Program Coordinators and Planner Services Contract (PRF46) that will assist organizations in improving their performance. Be informed about changing issues that affect public service while maintaining excellent standards of service. For more information review this contract on Comm-PASS at www.comm-pass.com under contract PRF46.
 

OSD Using On-line Auction Site to Sell Surplus Equipment doc format of sppgovdeals.doc

OSD Will Sell Surplus Equipment
Using On-line Auction Site

The State Surplus Property Office (SSPO), a department within The Operational Services Division is using GovDeals ( www.govdeals.com) an on-line auction web site to sell a 1968 International Loader, 2050 Series A as well as other misc. equipment.

For the past 12 years SSPO has sold surplus vehicles and equipment using the on-line auction method when there is a possibility that an item will sell well. On-line auctions have proven to be an effective way to reach the most bidders in order to obtain the maximum sale price.

If you would like more information regarding on-line auctions, please contact the State Surplus Property Office at 617-720-3146 or email paul.guerino@state.ma.us

 

USEPA Recognizes MA for Leadership in Energy Efficiency

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is recognized for its best practices in the area of Energy Star by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The case study can be found at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/power_mgt/downloads/MA_Case_Study.pdf. The two page review recognizes Massachusetts, and particularly the Operational Services Division (OSD), for their top down leadership approach in promoting energy efficiency through the state procurement process. It highlights the Commonwealth's high level mandates that require the purchase and use of Energy Star® rated equipment and other products and OSD's innovative contract specifications and strategies that embrace the power management capabilities of the products to ensure maximum energy conservation as well as significant long term cost savings

New Apple Volume Purchase Program for Education Orgs.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Operational Services Division in partnership with the Executive Office of Education announces a new program whereby schools may use Apple's Volume Purchase Program, a new program for schools purchasing educational Apps for the classroom. By using this program, schools will save 50% off the educational APPS when purchased in quantities of 20 or more ( see more information attached doc format of applevoucher_62011.doc ). This is the second of two recent initiatives providing savings opportunities for schools; see also "Operational Services Division Announces New Microsoft Agreement for Education Organizations." These programs come at an opportune time for school purchasing departments, who are working now to prepare for the next school year.

Ordering will be through Apple under the Statewide Contract (ITC44).

To learn how to use the program consistently with applicable finance laws, education institutions must review the purchasing guidelines posted on Apple's contract for Statewide Contract ITC44, or contact the OSD Strategic Sourcing Services Lead, Marge MacEvitt at Marge.MacEvitt@state.ma.us, or by phone at (617) 720-3121

 

ANF, OSD and CTR issue new Standard Contract Form

The new, streamlined Standard Contract Form and Instructions doc format of New Standard Contract Form Now Available is available for your immediate use. Reduced from 11 to 5 pages, a few of the highlights include identification of the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) (pursuant to Executive Order 523) and the Supplier Diversity Program (pursuant to Executive Order 524 (which repealed Executive Order 390) and issuance of  Executive Order 526 regarding Non-Discrimination, Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (which supersedes Executive Order 478).

The new Standard Contract Form also has updated contractor certifications based upon law and policy changes, including new sections on Contractor Business Ethics and Fraud, Waste and Abuse Prevention, Collusion and Debarment,. Further, the Employment Law, Federal Law and Tax Law sections have been updated and other key cites have been added to ensure contractors are notified of these requirements. Several certifications and Executive Orders have been updated to eliminate the need for separate attachments.

The form has been designed to be populated and distributed electronically to contractors, so that contractors can view hyperlinks and populate any contractor fields. It is available on both OSD's and the Office of the Comptroller's websites.


 

OSD Increases Procurement and Small Business Purchasing Program Threshold Levels

The Operational Services Division issued OSD Policy Guidance 11- 05 doc format of pg1105.doc : Revised Procurement Threshold Levels and Revised Small Business Purchasing Program Requirements (implementation of Executive Order 523 and Executive Order 533) (Amending OSD Policy Guidance PG11-01).

The purpose of this policy is to increase the thresholds for small and large procurements conducted by Executive Departments for non-construction goods and services and also to align the requirements of the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) with these new procurement thresholds. This new policy will result in consistent threshold levels (of under $150,000 and over $150,000) for Executive Department procurements (referred to as Small Procurements and Large Procurements respectively), the SBPP (required versus optional respectively) and the secondary approval requirements for commodity procurements (only required for those in excess of $150,000 consistent with OSD Policy Guidance 11-03 doc format of pg1103.doc ).

While Executive Departments may begin implementation of the requirements of this policy immediately, all solicitations issued on or after July 1, 2011 must comply with this Policy Guidance. More detailed policy documents and associated guidance related to this policy will be issued by OSD in the upcoming months. In the event of a conflict between the policies articulated in this document and those policies found in the Procurement Information Center, this Policy shall control.

Please forward this information to your procurement staff. If you should have any questions regarding this policy please feel free to contact OSD's Help Desk at comm-pass@state.ma.us.

 


National Small Business Week Highlights (5/23/11)

Last week was National Small Business Week and State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry of Boston established a list of Top Ten Resources for Small Businesses Owners in Massachusetts to highlight the resources available to support the growth and development of Massachusetts small businesses - the Supplier Diversity Program (SDO) and the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), both administered by the Operational Services Division (OSD), are ranked 6 th and 7 th respectively.

By way of these two programs, OSD aims to strengthen the local economy and to act as source of community empowerment and economic revitalization. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the national economy, and it is no different here in Massachusetts," said Rep. Forry.

Questions about the Supplier Diversity Program or the Small Business Purchasing Program? Please send an email to OSD's Help Desk at comm-pass@state.ma.us.

More…

The Supplier Diversity Office (fka SOMWBA) specializes in assisting minority and women owned businesses. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts spends more than $4 billion each year doing business with firms. More than $240 million of this amount is targeted to SDO businesses. An SDO certification is a marketing tool used to enhance a firm's ability to do business with the Commonwealth.

The Small Business Purchasing Program supports the existence and growth of Massachusetts small businesses by creating opportunities for participating small businesses to procure state funding for non-construction goods and services.

 

Governor Patrick Announces new Sourcing/Procurement and Print/Copy/Mail Operations Executive Orders

Governor Deval Patrick announces the issuance of the following two new Executive Orders which support Operational Services Division sponsored initiatives:

Executive Order No. 531 - Consolidating Executive Department Large Scale Print, Copy and Mail Operations; and

Executive Order No. 533 - Enhancing The Efficiency and Effectiveness of Executive Department Procurements and Establishing a Municipal Procurement Program.

In Executive Order No. 531, Governor Patrick ordered the consolidation of and implementation of best practices in all Executive Department large scale print, copy and mail operations.

In Executive Order No. 533, Governor Patrick ordered, among other requirements, that OSD:

  • Implement specific sourcing/procurement reforms aimed at improving savings and efficiencies;
  • Establish a Municipal Procurement Program in order to assist cities and towns with their purchasing needs;
  • Establish a Procurement Advisory Board which will advise OSD on strategic sourcing opportunities and procurement reforms;
  • Require the appointment of Secretariat Chief Procurement Officers and the submission of Secretariat Procurement Plans; and
  • Establish an eProcurement Advisory Board in order to enhance the Commonwealth's sourcing/procurement systems and tools

 

Procurement Schedule for Network Services (ITT46) and Interim Contract (ITT09)

The Strategic Sourcing Team for Network Services continues to pursue a comprehensive sourcing methodology, which includes a thorough analysis of the current usage of network services, trends in the technologies and industry and will involve substantive input from interested bidders and users of the contract. One of the goals of this process is increased participation in the contract by vendors and users.

For the convenience of users, the interim contract offer will allow current vendors on the Communication Network Services contract (ITT09) to renew for a period ending a maximum of ninety (90) days after the start of the new contract, Network Services (ITT46).

It is expected that the Request for Responses for Network Services will be published in late summer/early fall 2011 with a target contract start date of 1/1/2012.

Interested bidders and users of the contract are strongly encouraged to monitor the Comm-PASS website ( www.comm-pass.com) for further information and action relative to both contracts, and particularly for the publication of the Network Services (ITT46) Request for Response (RFR) document.

For additional information please contact the OSD Strategic Sourcing Services Lead, Laurie Allen, at laurie.allen@state.ma.us or by telephone at (617) 720-3304.

 

The Catering Services, Conference Space and Hotel Room Accommodation (GRO27) Statewide Contract Re-opening to Add Additional Contractors

The Catering Strategic Sourcing Services Team is re-opening the Request for Response (RFR) for Catering Services, Conference Space and Hotel Room Accommodation (GRO27) on June 1, 2011. This is an additional opportunity for vendors to submit a response and possibly to be added as a statewide contractor. Comm-PASS ( www.comm-pass.com) On-Line responses will be due by June 22, 2011 by 3:00 PM. It is strongly encouraged that potential bidders monitor the Comm-PASS ( www.comm-pass.com) web site for the upcoming release of the Catering Services, Conference Space and Hotel Room Accommodation Request for Response (RFR).

The Catering Services, Conference Space and Hotel Room Accommodation GRO27 statewide contract has been awarded as follows: Catering Services (GRO27A) provides catering services only with awards being made to a total of nine contractors with five (5) small businesses listed, Catering Services and/or Conference Space (GRO27B) provides catering services and/or conference space with awards being made to four (4) contractors with one (1) small business listed and Catering Services, Conference Space and/or Hotel Room Accommodations (GRO27C) provides catering services, conference space and/or hotel room accommodation with awards being made to fourteen (14) contractors with four (4) small businesses listed.

 

This re-opening provides another opportunity for small businesses in Massachusetts to become a statewide contractor.

 

Operational Services Division Announces New Microsoft Agreement For Education Organizations

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Operational Services Division in partnership with the Executive Office of Education announced a new three-year licensing agreement with Microsoft, Inc. based on the Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions Agreement (EES). "Education organizations in Massachusetts now will have the ability to purchase Microsoft licenses based on the number of professional FTEs rather than the number of computers," said Gary Lambert, Assistant Secretary for Operational Services. "Depending on the ratio of FTE professionals to computers, education organizations may save significantly under this new agreement."

Ordering will be through Dell under the Statewide Software Reseller Contract (ITS42). Eligible entities must be signed up by June 10, 2011 for a start date of July 1, 2011.

Benefits of this new licensing program to education organizations or School Districts include:

 

  • Counting people instead of PCs when licensing selected products
  • Receiving discounted pricing based on total number of FTEs from all education organizations participating (The cost of the Desktop Core Package under this Agreement is about $40+/PC range. The same Desktop Core Package under the new EES agreement is priced by Dell at about $43/FTE. Most education organizations have many more PCs than FTEs and many have a ratio of 3 PCs to 1 or more FTEs. Using the new EES agreement, it will not take much more than a 1.2 PC to 1 FTE ratio for education organizations to realize savings.)
  • Counting employees once per year
  • Automatically covering education organization computers and labs for the products licensed
  • Managing and tracking licenses, adding products and obtaining product keys online
  • Electronically distributing software, eliminating the need to manage physical media
  • Predictable subscription spending each year for easy budgeting
  • Inclusion of automatic access to Live@edu

For additional information please contact the OSD Strategic Sourcing Services Lead, Marge MacEvitt at Marge.MacEavitt@state.ma.us, or by phone at (617) 720-3121.

 

OSD Extends a Thank You to Green STAR 2011 Exhibitors and Attendees

The OSD Green STAR 2011 annual vendor contractor exhibition and training conference was a resounding success thanks to the support and participation of statewide contract vendors who provide a vast array of goods and services to meet the needs of the Commonwealth. OSD is also appreciative of the attendance of more than 1000 individuals from executive departments and cities and towns. Our success this year was reflected in the attendees' generosity to the Mass. General Hospital Bloodmobile which received blood donations that may service as many as 99 patients. We look forward to your support and participation in next year's event and to our continued pursuit of the "best value" in contracting for the Commonwealth.