- Operational Services Division
In January, OSD launched three initiatives intended to strengthen partnerships across the procurement community: The Municipal Roundtable, Secretariat Liaisons, and the Procurement Community of Practice (COP). Together, these efforts are designed to make it easier for agencies and local government organizations to connect with OSD, access resources, and collaborate across the procurement family. These initiatives reflect OSD’s commitment to being a true partner to the agencies and communities it serves — not just a resource to consult, but a colleague invested in mutual success.
Municipal Roundtable
Mark Fine, Assistant Secretary for Operational Services, hosted a 90-minute, virtual Municipal Roundtable discussion on January 29. The conversation was lively, and municipal partners provided valuable insights to the the ways OSD programs meet their needs and actionable suggestions for improvement. Overall, the meeting proved successful, with the majority of attendees interested in continuing the dialogue. In June, Mark will be speaking at meetings hosted by two Massachusetts municipal organizations – the final meeting of the fiscal year (June 17) of the Massachusetts Association of Public Purchasing Officials (MAPPO) and the bi-annual meeting (June 24) of the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM).
Secretariat Liaisons
Secretariat Liaisons from OSD’s Category Management, Climate, Legal, and Quality Assurance teams, serve as dedicated points of contact for assigned Secretariats. By building an understanding of agency priorities and challenges, Liaisons help coordinate OSD support and ensure Statewide Contracts meet agency needs. The goal is a more responsive, relationship-driven partnership — one where agencies know who to contact, and OSD better understands their needs before they arise.
Liaisons will:
- Serve as a primary contact for Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) and other procurement staff
- Work to understand agency plans and priorities
- Identify challenges and improvement opportunities
Category Manager Kelly Thompson Clark supports the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) as their Liaison and also serves as the Secretariat Liaison Group Coordinator, ensuring consistent coverage and support across Secretariats.
Procurement Community of Practice
The Community of Practice (COP) brings together a range of procurement staff from OSD and Executive Agencies who serve in purchasing, legal, fiscal, and program roles. Designed as an interactive forum, the COP facilitates knowledge-sharing and strengthens relationships across the community. Led by Danielle Frizzi and the Strategic Communications and Learning team, the project is supported by staff on the OSD Category Management, Legal, and Quality Assurance teams. Following a preview of the COP at the February CPO meeting, the inaugural Community of Practice meeting, which focused on Technology Procurement, was held virtually on April 2 – with more than 170 people in attendance. The format of the meeting was a panel discussion that included Erica Bradshaw, Deputy Secretary for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security; Erin Botelho, Secretariat CIO for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; and Ann-Maria Bennett, OSD Director of Category Management. The strong turnout reflects the appetite across state government for exactly this type of connection — and OSD looks forward to building on it.
