- Operational Services Division
As the calendar year draws to a close, preparations for the new year are in full swing. If 2025 taught us anything, it is that unforeseen challenges in business and government inevitably arise. To ensure you have the critical information needed for successful procurement activities in 2026, the WOSD News: Procurement Insights podcast collaborated with the OSD Help Desk to answer the most frequently asked questions received in 2025.
What is the best way for Vendors to search for bid opportunities?
A listing of Bid opportunities posted by state agencies, cities, towns, and other public buyers is updated weekly on the Operational Services Division (OSD) and COMMBUYS homepages. Additionally, if you haven’t already, be sure to update your COMMBUYS Seller Account to include appropriate UNSPSC Commodity Codes, so you get an email notification when a bid is posted related to your offerings.
I am a municipal buyer. How do I purchase from Statewide Contracts?
To begin purchasing from Statewide Contracts, you’ll want to identify which products or services you need and select the Statewide Contract with the appropriate offerings. OSD’s Statewide Contract User Guides are an excellent resource for exploring the myriad products and services offered across 19 categories. If you are interested in a product with an established price, you may review the price file in COMMBUYS, then reach out to Statewide Contract Vendors. If your purchase requires a quote, you must follow the quote guidance provided in the Contract User Guide. Explore OSD’s Local Government Purchasing resources for more information.
How do I schedule a specialty training class in my city or town?
The OSD Training Unit provides specialty training to Buyers upon request. For specialty training, buyer organizations should plan to have a minimum of 12 staff members in attendance and a meeting space, unless the meeting is virtual. For in-person training, access to computers usually is needed; ideally staff should have access to laptops or a computer lab. Contact OSD Training to request customized training or to learn more.
Am I eligible to use Statewide Contracts as an out-of-state Buyer?
State government departments located outside of Massachusetts are eligible to purchase from OSD’s Statewide Contracts; no prior approval is required by the Massachusetts purchasing agent. Public buyer groups outside of Massachusetts, such as local governments, and public colleges and universities, are eligible after receiving approval from the state purchasing agent. If your organization requires approval to buy from OSD’s Statewide Contracts, please contact purchasing.agent@mass.gov, and review the Tips for Out-of-State Buyers flyer for more information.
For more insights and valuable procurement tips, explore the latest WOSD News: Procurement Insights podcast, Public Procurement FAQs: Your Guide to Vendor Success and Buyer Guidance, featuring OSD Help Desk and Training team members James Reid and Erin Powers.
