Selling to the state: Becoming an authorized vendor

To become a seller on a Statewide Contract, you must execute a contract with OSD or its designee after responding to a fair, open, and competitive bid process. Once you've signed a Statewide Contract, the potential market for your commodities and services is extensive. All Executive departments are required to use Statewide Contracts for their purchases. In addition, many other public and quasi-public entities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are eligible, though not required, to use Statewide Contracts. Subscribe to receive SmartBid email alerts from Comm-PASS to be notified via email whenever a Request for Response (RFR) in your area of business is posted. Don't miss an opportunity for doing business with the state.


Bidding overview

Generally speaking, solicitations take the form of a Request for Response (RFR) which explains what the agency is seeking to procure, and what is required of a successful bidder. Although some requirements are common to all RFRs, each RFR is unique. Interested bidders must read an entire RFR carefully to determine the requirements for a given procurement and which forms and attachments may be required in their response.


Operational Services Division (OSD) overview

The Operational Services Division (OSD) establishes statewide contracts (sometimes also referred to as blanket contracts) for most goods and services. Once established, statewide contracts must be used by all Executive Department agencies for purchasing. Other entities, such as cities and towns, are eligible to purchase goods and services through these contracts as well. Solicitations by OSD for statewide contracts, and solicitations by Executive Department agencies for goods and services not available on statewide contracts, are posted on Comm-PASS, the Commonwealth Procurement Access and Solicitation System. A growing list of non-Executive Department agencies -- the Judicial and Legislative Branches, independent authorities, constitutional offices -- and some cities and towns use Comm-PASS to post solicitations.

Operational Services Division (OSD) events and training

The Operational Services Division (OSD) offers free training on topics related to the procurement of commodities and services for the Commonwealth's buying community, and for businesses interested in selling to the state.

ARRA opportunities for businesses

Information for vendors on the process of procurement for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


Selling specific services to the state: Requirements

Here you will find the requirements for selling building construction to the state, health services to the state, road supplies to the state, and more.  


Selling to the state: Basic vendor requirements and forms

In order to sell to the state, vendors will need to provide information and comply with regulations as specified here.


Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center can guide you through the government procurement process. Established in 1999 with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Massachusetts Department of Business Development, PTAC services include one-on-one counseling on bidding and managing government contracts.

Comm-PASS: The Commonwealth Procurement and Solicitation System

The Commonwealth Procurement and Solicitation System (Comm-PASS) is the only official procurement record system for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Departments. Comm-PASS offers free internet-based access to all public procurement information, including Requests for Response (RFRs) and contract records, to promote open, fair and competitive public procurements. Executive agencies of the Commonwealth, including the state's central purchasing agency, the Operational Services Division (OSD), are required to post every solicitation for goods and services with an estimated value of $50,000 or more. Massachusetts public awarding authorities conducting public works or public construction are also required to post solicitations for building projects that meet certain criteria.


Guidance for current statewide contractors

Congratulations on receiving a Statewide Contract! The award of a Statewide Contract allows you to sell the goods and services on your Statewide Contract to hundreds of eligible entities. Use this link to quickly access resources and guidance to better understand what it means to be a statewide contractor and locate information to help promote and market your goods and services.

Selling to the state: Getting paid

Most state and local government agencies pay against purchase orders and/or packing slips for goods, and against invoices for services.


Selling to cities, towns, school districts and other local authorities

Here you will find local procurement assistance and enforcement, procurement information for local purchasing officials, and more.  


Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Goods and Services Bulletin

Cities and towns currently advertise procurements in the Goods and Services Bulletin, a print publication available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth or at libraries. Some cities and towns also post solicitations on Comm-PASS (see above).

Programs for minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses

If the state certifies your enterprise as a minority- or woman-owned business enterprise or nonprofit (MBE, WBE, MNP, WNP), you are eligible to participate in the Commonwealth's Affirmative Market Program (AMP). As an AMP participant, you may receive additional consideration in the bidder evaluation process for Commonwealth procurements.


Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Program

The Commonwealth's Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Program reduces the environmental and public health impact of state government. The EPP Procurement Program also fosters markets for products, packaging and services that incorporate recycling and recycled products, source reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation and other practices that conserve resources and prevent pollution.

Federal Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program: Information for vendors

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program provides a number of resources focused on helping vendors sell environmentally preferable products to the federal government.