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Download OIG Public Purchasing and Public Construction Manuals

The Designing and Constructing Public Facilities Manual contains requirements and recommendations for awarding construction project contracts. The Chapter 30B Manual contains information about public procurement requirements and recommendations.

Download our quick-reference charts of MA public procurement procedures

The charts provide a general overview of the principal public procurement statutes and are not a substitute for reviewing the statute or obtaining the advice of legal counsel.

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Download the Chapter 30B Manual

This manual provides comprehensive guidance and information about complying with the Uniform Procurement Act, M.G.L. c. 30B (Chapter 30B). It covers procuring supplies, services and real property, including legal requirements, recommended practices and sources of assistance.

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About the Chapter 30B Manual

The Massachusetts Legislature enacted the Uniform Procurement Act (Chapter 30B) in 1990. Chapter 30B establishes procedures to follow for most agreements for acquisitions of supplies and services, dispositions of surplus supplies, and real property acquisitions and dispositions by local governmental bodies. Former Inspector General Barresi realized that the OIG could be helpful in educating city and town officials about the provisions the new law required. Using the Designing and Constructing Public Facilities Manual as a guide, the office published the Chapter 30B Manual.

Download the Designing and Constructing Public Facilities Manual

This manual helps public officials understand their statutory obligations when spending public funds and provides both the public and private sectors with guidance in undertaking public construction projects.  

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About the Designing and Constructing Public Facilities Manual

To help cities and towns understand the legal requirements and best practices for awarding construction contracts, former Inspector General Joseph Barresi created the Designing and Constructing Public Facilities Manual. First published in 1985, the manual provides guidance for procurement and contracting practices for the construction of schools, police and fire stations, road and bridge projects, and other public facilities.

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Chapter 30B Resources

Request public procurement technical assistance from our Chapter 30B team with our online form  Explore our classes and trainings on public procurement and public construction  View the Chapter 30B statute  Read our OIG Bulletins  Learn about the history of Chapter 30B  Explore your options for Chapter 30B assistance using our decision tree 
View transcript of Public Purchasing for Supplies and Services in Massachusetts: An Overview of Chapter 30B 

OIG manuals are also available at the State House bookstore.

Contact Information

Address

Office of the Inspector General
One Ashburton Place, Room 1311, Boston, MA 02108
Directions 

Phone

617-722-8838

Available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F. Our confidential Hotline is for public employees and individuals with Chapter 30B procurement questions. Direct questions related to design and construction procurement to the Attorney General’s Office.

We welcome non-English speakers to contact us. Confidential translation services are available in most languages.

Online

30BHotline@mass.gov
Chapter 30B Technical Assistance Form 

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