- Operational Services Division
The Operational Services Division’s (OSD) Statewide Contracts provide the tools that allow Massachusetts to build for the future, connecting state agencies, municipalities, and universities with the essential goods and services they need to function. The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and Salem State University (SSU) are leveraging Statewide Contracts for SSU BOLD and the associated North Campus Decarbonization Project — two capital projects prioritizing modern infrastructure, sustainability, and student success. Recently, OSD launched Building Bold: Blueprint for a Better Massachusetts, a three-episode podcast series detailing these initiatives and how the power of public procurement makes it all possible.
- Part 1: SSU BOLD — The Blueprint for a Better Massachusetts
- Part 2: Massachusetts’ Path to Net Zero Carbon Emissions
- Part 3: Student Voices — The Future of Salem State University
Transforming Infrastructure: A Closer Look at SSU BOLD
SSU BOLD includes a renovation of Salem State University’s Horace Mann Building — constructing state-of-the-art facilities for programs such as healthcare studies, occupational therapy, and nursing — and an addition to Meier Hall, which will house modernized, flexible teaching labs. Additionally, the North Campus Decarbonization Project is one of several energy initiatives being led across the Commonwealth by DCAMM’s Facilities Management and Decarbonization team.
Bridging the Gap: Meeting State Climate Objectives
To support the goals set out in Executive Order No. 594 (EO594), the Facilities Management and Decarbonization team develops Energy Projects to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions at state-owned and managed buildings. OSD recognizes that meeting state climate objectives requires creative procurements in the form of contracts specifically designed to bridge the gap between state agencies and the specialized environmental services they need. In support of that mission, OSD developed Statewide Contract PRF74 - Energy, Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services. For DCAMM, this contract is instrumental in turning ambitious decarbonization plans into reality.
“Statewide Contracts are critical to this decarbonization work,” said Krista Lillis, Director of Energy and Sustainability at DCAMM. “The process starts with a DCAMM-managed Decarbonization Roadmap, where we use PRF74 Statewide Contract advisors to identify actionable carbon energy and water reduction projects to reduce or eliminate emissions from on-site fossil fuels.”
Through SSU BOLD and the Decarbonization Project, the Commonwealth is modernizing higher education and cultivating the next generation of the workforce. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, these initiatives establish a new standard for innovative and sustainable public service.
A Vision of Collaboration: Leadership Perspectives
“I am proud that SSU BOLD is being recognized in this podcast. It showcases how collaboration with state partners helps us build a more efficient, responsive, and future-ready university,” shared John D. Keenan, President, Salem State University. “We are grateful for the Commonwealth’s partnership as this work is central to ensuring we remain a mission-driven university that delivers excellence for our students and the region.”
Tune In: Building Bold on the OSD YouTube Channel
Join leadership from Salem State University and DCAMM in Building Bold: Blueprint for a Better Massachusetts as they discuss the impact of these transformative projects. Tune in to the three-episode podcast on the OSD YouTube Channel for an inside look at the partnership between public service and higher education driving Massachusetts toward a modern, sustainable future.
The podcast features Salem State University leadership and DCAMM Facilities Management and Decarbonization staff:
- John D. Keenan, SSU President
- Sallyann Lopez, SSU CFO
- Luigi Marcone SSU Assistant VP for Capital Planning and Facilities
- Betsy Isenstein, DCAMM Deputy Commissioner
- And more…
Subscribe to OSD’s YouTube Channel.
