OIG Bulletin, February 2021: Procurement Resources for Non-Chapter 30B Matters

The Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Chapter 30B Technical Assistance Hotline (Hotline) assists public employees and other individuals with public procurement questions related to Chapter 30B. However, other agencies are well-equipped to answer your non-Chapter 30B procurement questions.

Last year, the Chapter 30B Team responded to more than 1,400 phone calls and emails about applying Chapter 30B, drafting clear rules for awarding contracts under Chapter 30B and other related issues. Hotline staff members are available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by telephone at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

The goal of the Hotline is to provide prompt and accurate Chapter 30B-related procurement information. The Hotline is often the first call that state and municipal employees make for any procurement-related issue. Consequently, nearly one-third of the calls and emails we receive involve non-Chapter 30B matters. Because Hotline staff can only answer procurement questions involving Chapter 30B, we want to make sure that everyone receives accurate information from the agency best suited to provide it. This is a list of agencies that can help with non-Chapter 30B procurement and related topics.

Office of the Attorney General, Fair Labor Division

• Topics: Public building construction (M.G.L. c. 149, §§ 44A-44J); public works (non-building) construction and construction materials (M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M); design services for public building projects (M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44-58); alternative delivery methods (M.G.L. c. 149A)
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website

Office of the Attorney General, Prevailing Wage Enforcement Hotline

• Topic: Prevailing wage law violation complaints
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website

Department of Labor Standards

• Topic: Prevailing wage rate information for construction projects and other public works
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website

Department of Revenue, Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center

• Topics: Municipal finance and municipal law
• Telephone: [phone] (for local officials); [phone] (all other callers)
• Website 

Designer Selection Board

• Topic: Design services for public building projects (M.G.L. c. 7C, §§ 44-58)
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website 

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance

• Topics: Capital planning, public building construction, contractor certification, facilities management and real estate services for the Commonwealth
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website  

Department of Energy Resources

• Topics: Energy management services contracts (M.G.L. c. 25A, §§ 11C, 11l); municipal energy efficiency projects, including installation of electric car charging stations, solar panels and canopies; energy-related municipal programs and grants
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website 

Operational Services Division

• Topics: The Commonwealth’s COMMBUYS Procurement Market Center; certification of minority and women-owned business enterprises; statewide contracts
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website     

State Ethics Commission

• Topics: Conflict-of-interest law (M.G.L. c. 268A) and financial disclosure law (M.G.L. c. 268B)
• Telephone: [phone]
• Website

Secretary of the Commonwealth

• Central Register: a weekly publication listing state, county and municipal contracts for the design, construction and reconstruction of public facilities in the Commonwealth, including invitations for bids, requests for proposals, final contract awards and solicitations regarding real property
  • Telephone: [phone]
  • Website 
• Goods and Services Bulletin: a weekly publication containing solicitations for the procurement of commodities and services, including state procurements for goods and certain services and advertisements of municipal procurements worth more than $100,000
  • Telephone: [phone]
  • Website
• Public Records Division
  • Topic: State public records law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10) and exemptions (M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26))
  • Telephone: [phone]
  • Website  

Date published:	February 25, 2021