OIG Bulletins

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes an interview with OIG's Director of Veterans' Services Oversight Division, recent investigations, Chapter 30B Hot Topics and details about the new One Free Designee for schools.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes recent investigations and case updates, a spotlight on Health Safety Net, and an article about strategies for managing unexpected changes in grant funding.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes news regarding recent OIG investigations, including the release of the Star Store Report about a state-funded lease that the OIG found to have wasted public funds.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes updates on recent OIG investigations and cases, the OIG Academy, OIG calling for greater controls and enforcement of post-retirement earnings caps, planning for ARPA obligation deadlines, and snow-related procurements. Chapter 30B public procurement FAQs are also featured.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes a MassHealth report on overpayments and shortcomings in autism services, an OIG advisory on off-boarding and banking controls, and information on Chapter 30B and services related to advertising.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes information on free cybersecurity awareness training for municipalities, summary of an opinion piece, “A Call to Simplify Electric Bus Procurements,” and the Inspector General’s support for proposed changes to Chapter 30B, in addition to summaries of recent OIG investigations.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes information on purchasing Massachusetts agricultural products, summaries of recent Office of the Inspector General investigations, Chapter 30B frequently asked questions and other updates on the work of the OIG.

This edition of the OIG Bulletin includes information on our new One Free Designee pilot program, what municipalities should know about choosing and monitoring subrecipients of ARPA funds and a summary of the OIG 2022 Annual Report.

This edition of the OIG Bulletin includes a warning about misleading “invoices” for website domain registration; what municipalities need to know about statewide contract vendors, and summaries of the OIG’s 2022 Divisional Annual Reports.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes a welcome letter from Jeffrey S. Shapiro, who became the fifth Inspector General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 3, 2022. The issue also includes information about recent OIG investigations, reviews and civil recoveries, and more.

This issue includes information about recent OIG investigations and civil recoveries, the OIG’s report on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, the OIG's growth and accomplishments over the past 10 years, and more.

This special issue celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Office of the Inspector General’s Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program.

This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes the OIG’s review of the Massachusetts State Police travel time policy; protecting individuals from fraud, waste and abuse when they receive healthcare from personal attendants; information for public procurement officials about emergency measures during COVID-19 and more.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announces the publication of its first edition of the OIG Bulletin, February 2020, Vol. 1, #1. The OIG Bulletin is designed to support efforts to protect your communities with information from all of the Office’s divisions and also includes answers to procurement questions.

The November 2019 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on: timekeeping, overtime and departure payouts for public employers; legislative initiatives from the Office of the Inspector General; and, responses to frequently asked questions.

The Office of the Inspector General's May 2019 Procurement Bulletin focuses on time-and-attendance fraud detection and prevention. We have devoted this edition of the Procurement Bulletin to how time is used and how employers can monitor it better.

The Office of the Inspector General's February 2019 Procurement Bulletin covers fraud prevention, public contracting, and cybersecurity topics.

The Office of the Inspector General's October 2018 Procurement Bulletin includes a summary of a bid protest decision, an article on surplus supplies and the reuse of school furniture, preventing bid manipulation, applying the special education exemption and a reminder to file compensating balance reports.

The Office of the Inspector General's July 2018 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on fraud related to employee reimbursement requests, recent amendments to the designer selection law and parking placard enforcement.

The Office of the Inspector General April 2018 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on using competitive procedures, written procurement policies, a public transfer station management contract and leasing space for an ATM.

The January 2018 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on collective purchasing agreements, real property transactions and snow hauling.

Our October 2017 Procurement Bulletin covers topics including checking vendor invoices as part of contract administration, how Chapter 30B applies to public education and government (PEG) programming, the importance of procuring mobile-friendly software and a procurement FAQ.

Our July 2017 Procurement Bulletin edition includes an introduction to the OIG's video "An Overview of Chapter 30B" and procurement questions and answers for school and other public officials.

Our April 2017 Procurement Bulletin covers topics including bid tailoring, janitorial supplies procurement, detecting time fraud and frequently-asked questions related to procurement.

Our January 2017 Procurement Bulletin includes information related to energy contracts, requirements for obtaining financial services in relation to Chapter 30B and the Municipal Modernization Act.

Our October 2016 Procurement Bulletin covers an amendment to chapter 30B--An Act Modernizing Municipal Finance and Government, forum-selection clause in contracts, An Act to Improve Public Records and a procurement FAQ.

Our July 2016 Procurement Bulletin includes information about school-based purchases made by students and their parents or guardians in relation to Chapter 30B, procurement of police equipment, contracts for deputy tax collectors and procurement frequently-asked questions.

Our April 2016 Procurement Bulletin covers voting machine procurements, a new court decision on a “minor informality" in a vendor's bid submission and buying electricity for town buildings.

Our January 2016 Procurement Bulletin features preparing for emergency procurements, a fraud alert regarding group cell service plans, appointing a chief procurement officer and Chapter 30B exemptions.

The Office of the Inspector General’s October 2015 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on detecting fraud through vendor audits, leasing municipal space for income from telecommunication equipment and cell towers, and other frequently asked questions.

The Office of the Inspector General’s July 2015 Procurement Bulletin includes updates and changes to procurements for energy management services, new resources provided by the General Services Administration, and frequently asked questions related to municipal fire departments and procuring water meter systems.

The Office of the Inspector General’s April 2015 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on planning for procurements, emergency procurements, conducting vendor reference checks, recommendations for internal controls and oversight, and frequently asked questions related to winter-weather and emergency procurements.

The Office of the Inspector General’s December 2014 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on energy and energy-related contracts, deciding whether to lease or purchase an asset, crowdfunding for municipal projects, and other frequently asked questions.

The Office of the Inspector General’s October 2014 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the process for alternate purchasing on invitations for bids, delegating procurement powers, changes to Chapter 30B thresholds, and FAQs related to purchasing voting equipment, multi-year contract requirements and Chapter 30B.

The Office of the Inspector General’s June 2014 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on preparing for an emergency procurement, submitting certifications of good faith/“non-collusion statements” and public records requirements associated with the Invitation for Bids/Request for Proposals process.

The Office of the Inspector General’s March 2014 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the “25-percent rule” of increasing the value of a contract, clarification on the inability to accept a late bid and lessons learned from the Hinton Drug Lab scandal.

The Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) December 2013 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the Internal Special Audit Unit’s report investigating MassDOT and MBTA parking benefits, and the OIG’s report investigating the misuse of disabled persons’ parking placards in the City of Boston.

The Office of the Inspector General’s September 2013 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on cooperative purchasing agreements, changes to procurement law within the FY 2014 state budget, and notification of DCAMM's determination to decline recertification to a vendor.

The OIG’s June 2013 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on developing policies for vehicle trade-ins, contracting violations in the Brockton Public School District’s facilities department, measuring energy-savings under Chapter 25A, and the availability of the Ward Commission Report through the MA State Library.

The OIG’s January 2013 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the SJC ruling of Northeast Energy Partners, LLC v. Mahar Regional School District regarding energy broker contracts and Chapter 30B exemptions, and contracting violations in the East Bridgewater Fire Department.

The Office of the Inspector General’s October 2012 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the sub-bid category for fire protection sprinkler systems, OSD Contract User Guides, best practices for hiring a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and using a Chief Procurement Officer delegation form.

The Office of the Inspector General’s June 2012 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on construction material procurements, inventory and asset management best practices, and the SJC ruling of Barr Incorporated v. Town of Holliston, 462 Mass. 112 (2012).

The Office of the Inspector General’s March 2012 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on prevailing wage law as applied to charter school leasehold improvements, the procurement of top-level domain names, and requirements and best practices for school bus transportation contracts under Chapter 30B.

The topics in the Office of the Inspector General’s December 2011 Procurement Bulletin include the disposition of surplus supplies, “No Cost” solar energy contracts and Chapter 30B requirements for certain retirement board services.

The Office of the Inspector General’s October 2011 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), tips for invitations for bid and requests for proposal during winter months, and a notice of the online availability of bid protest decisions.

Topics in the OIG’s June 2011 Procurement Bulletin include emergency procurements, procuring e-procurement services, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), “minor informalities” waivable in the bidding process, public records in the bidding process and cooperative purchasing agreements.

The OIG’s December 2010 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on professional exemptions for service procurements under Chapter 30B, establishing a preference for procuring supplies and/or services from Massachusetts-based businesses and prevailing wage requirements for school bus contracts.

The Office of the Inspector General’s September 2010 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the Municipal Relief Act of 2010, cooperative purchasing agreements, reverse auctions through the e-procurement process, MSBA training and recertification requirements, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The OIG’s June 2010 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the prohibition of self-renewing agreements under Chapter 30B § 12, the Supreme Judicial Court decision on Brasi Development Corp. v. Attorney General regarding build-to-lease agreements, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The OIG’s March 2010 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on ethics regarding accepting gifts from vendors, donating surplus supplies to private non-profit organizations, the prohibition of geographical restrictions on procurements using federal grants, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The Office of the Inspector General's December 2009 Procurement Bulletin topics include elimination of the dollar one procurement practice, overly restrictive evaluation requirements for an RFP and 30B questions and answers.

The OIG’s September 2009 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on guidance for when municipalities receive ARRA funds directly from the Commonwealth, updates on amendments to Chapter 30B, and Chapter 30B FAQs.

The OIG’s June 2009 Procurement Bulletin includes a message from the US Government Accountability Office and FAQs concerning the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s March 2009 Procurement Bulletin discusses the IG filing new procurement legislation and Chapter 30B FAQs.

The OIG’s December 2008 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on purchasing from contracts entered by out-of-state public entities, certain contracts that commonwealth authorities may use, updates on fuel contracts, and Chapter 30B FAQs.

The OIG’s September 2008 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on the chief procurement officer and Chapter 30B FAQs.

The OIG’s June 2008 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on Chapter 30B and the use of price adjustments clauses.

The OIG’s March 2008 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on tax exempt lease purchase transactions for local government bodies and green purchasing regarding Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s December 2007 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the IG’s recommendations for changes to Chapter 40B, attorney generals’ settlement in the school bus merger case, and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s September 2007 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on overhead rates in design contracts, real property transactions under Chapter 30B, and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s June 2007 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on updated addresses for energy contracts and Chapter 30B FAQs.

The OIG’s March 2007 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the importance of an owner’s project manager, plus and minus bids, and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s December 2006 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on employment agreements concerning Chapter 30B and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s September 2006 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on amendments to Chapter 30B, resolution clauses for electricity or gas contracts, and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s May 2006 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on designer contracts and Chapter 30B, purchasing photocopier supplies/services from the statewide contract, and reoccurring FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s January 2006 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on procurement fraud in Everett, advice on quotes for trade-in provision on supplies, and FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s October 2005 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on recommended practices for tied quotes and bids, as well as FAQs on Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s June 2005 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on automatic water meters in Norwood, Chapter 30B regarding energy contracts and school bus transportation contracts, tips on how to avoid school bus contract bid protests, and the OIG advisories about fraud prevention and more.

The OIG’s January 2005 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the Chapter 193 of the Acts of 2004, congratulating new MCPPOs, public construction reform laws, and addressing Chapter 30B FAQs, and provides guides that assist with compliance when writing policies.

The OIG’s Spring/Summer 2004 Procurement Bulletin includes an article on recently released OIG reports, an OIG hiring announcement for the position of a Chapter 30B attorney, and a reprinting of many Chapter 30B FAQs from bulletins from 1994-2003.

The OIG’s December 2003 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on collaborative purchases with non-Massachusetts governmental entities, recommendations for municipal real estate dispositions as well as a notice about revised MCPPO re-certification requirements.

The OIG’s September 2003 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on recent OIG reports, the requirements of Section 12 of Chapter 30B, tips to avoid school bus transportation bid protests, and the City of Fitchburg’s savings on a school bus transportation contract.

The OIG’s June 2003 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on OIG-filed procurement reform legislation, an OIG report of building committee oversight, and insurance consultants as they relate to insurance procurement contracts, as well as a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s March 2003 Procurement Bulletin includes information on the availability of MCPPO course materials via CD-ROM and articles on recent OIG reports, avoiding irresponsible general contractors, new legislation proposed by the OIG, and the 2003 Statewide Training and Resources (STAR) Exposition.

The OIG’s December 2002 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on recent OIG reports, new legislation filed by the OIG, information on the federal debarment website for contractors, and a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s September 2002 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the appointment of Inspector General Gregory W. Sullivan, an Appeals Court decision on a public bidding case, a decision by Middlesex Superior Court upholding bidder qualification requirements, and a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s June 2002 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on statewide contracts, continuing education opportunities, health care claims administration for self-insured municipalities, a Chapter 30B Q&A, and the announcement of a new MCPPO course titled “Advanced Topics in Procurement.”

The OIG’s March 2002 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on OIG opinion letters on vendor supplied IFBs, a case law update on “or equal” specifications, and a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s December 2001 Procurement Bulletin includes an update on the prevailing wage law, information on the procurement of natural gas contracts, and a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s September 2001 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on two recent Appeals Court decisions on Chapter 30B cases, a new OIG report on wastewater privatization, information about the MCPPO’s real property seminar, and a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s June 2001 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on OIG web resources, vendor-supplied invitations for bids, OIG offerings in training and continued education, and an announcement of requirements for the Massachusetts Certified State Purchasing Officer (MCPSO) designation. There is also a Chapter 30B Q&A.

The OIG’s March 2001 Procurement Bulletin promotes some recent procurement-related OIG publications and includes articles on a contractor being debarred, collective purchasing agreements and new legislation to streamline procurement. There are also Q&As on Chapter 30B and the Statewide Contract for Tradespersons.

The OIG’s December 2000 Procurement Bulletin includes articles announcing a new IG policy on late and overlooked bids, reminding authorities to file new chief procurement officer (CPO) delegation forms, and promoting a recently published article on privatizing water systems as well as a procurement-related Q&A.

The OIG’s September 2000 Procurement Bulletin includes an update to the public building construction bid law based on a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision, a procurement-related Q&A, a summary of changes to public procurement laws, and a notice on income from antenna space leases.

The OIG’s June 2000 Procurement Bulletin includes information for local governments about enterprise financial systems, articles on competition for insurance and insurance consultant services and a clarification of the prevailing wage law for sole proprietors, and a Q&A section for procurement-related questions.

The OIG’s March 2000 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on handling exempt supplies and services procurements, EPA energy efficient specifications, prevailing wage rate sheets for minor isolated work, and House Bill 83 to reform Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s December 1999 Procurement Bulletin includes a congratulations to the new MCPPO designees and a list of the individuals, a Chapter 30B and construction big law reform legislation update, improving specifications for commercially available equipment, and consumer protection resources.

The OIG’s September 1999 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on helpful information technology procurement websites, a congratulations to the new MCPPOs and a list of the individuals, a practical tip for writing specifications, a tip for the RFP process, and a change to tax compliance certificate requirement.

The OIG’s June 1999 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on getting college credit for completion of the MCPPO program, a congratulations to the new MCPPOs and a list of the designees. The OIG commends the Town of Andover's analysis for an energy contract.

The OIG’s March 1999 Procurement Bulletin includes congratulating the first MCPPO designees, MCPPO courses recognized for college credit, IG procurement reform bills assigned to the joint committee on state administration, questions about Chapter 30B and a tip for annual supply contracts.

The OIG’s December 1998 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on procuring electricity in the competitive market, the OIG filing to streamline Chapter 30B, other OIG legislative initiatives, avoiding school bus bid protests, and Central Registration ads by e-mail.

The OIG’s September 1998 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the amendment of the Chapter 30B sole source provision, the revision of the Procurement Manual, questions about Chapter 30B, tips for writing IFBs and RFPs, contracts for health agents, land swap advice, and construction contractor qualifications.

The OIG’s June 1998 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on ensuring quality in procurements, an updated Procurement Manual for Chapter 30B, how statutes define responsibility, helpful tips for writing IFBs and RFPs, energy saving standards for office equipment, questions about Chapter 30B and useful websites for pro

The OIG’s March 1998 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the procurement of electricity under deregulation, purchasing recycled paper products, helpful tips for writing IFBs and RFPs, questions about Chapter 30B, information about the OIG website, and a new OSD website for local governments.

The OIG’s December 1997 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on obtaining the best value in relation to public procurement, electricity deregulation in March 1998, a request for procurement officials to share success stories, legislative changes to Chapter 30B, and procurement, trading, and grants from DOE.

The OIG’s September 1997 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on school milk bids and being aware of overcharging, a municipally owned agricultural property yielding profits, potential problems with proprietary specifications, and an announcement about the OIG providing technical assistance for Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s June 1997 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on cost-effective contracting for building maintenance and repairs, and questions about Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s March 1997 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the market forecast of falling electricity rates, Chapter 30B applying to the sale of scrap metals, the state matching grants for education technology, and questions about Chapter 30B.

The OIG’s December 1996 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on tips to avoid school bus contract pitfalls, questions about Chapter 30B, the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) Program and seminar registration.

The OIG’s September 1996 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on the approval of a public purchasing official certification program, collective purchasing agreements, questions about Chapter 30B, new hours for Chapter 30B telephone assistance and information about the Procurement Manual and the Procurement Bulletin.

The OIG’s June 1995 Procurement Bulletin includes ten tips for avoiding bid protests, questions about Chapter 30B, and Chapter 30B training comments.

The OIG’s March 1995 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on Boston and the MBTA saving money by bidding legal services, FAQs about Chapter 30B requirements regarding Medicaid and third-party billing and collection services, and the DOR filing legislation to permit lease-purchase arrangements by cities and towns.

The OIG’s December 1994 Procurement Bulletin includes articles on bidding small construction projects, Chapter 30B legislation updates, information on State Blanket Contracts, a new program to assist with energy conservation, an amendment for Chapter 30B, and a new procurement manual for the OIG.