Why use Statewide Contracts?
OSD’s Statewide Contract
NEWCOM is an awarded vendor serving agencies through OSD’s Statewide Contract (SWCs) offering state-negotiated pricing and other tangible benefits, such as prompt pay discounts, bulk purchase pricing, and extended warranties.
“Utilizing Statewide Contracts may save you time and money, while providing best value for your organization.” – OSD
Who May Use Statewide Contracts?
Executive Departments are required to use the Operational Services Division’s Statewide Contracts for their purchases of goods and services. Public and quasi-public entities in the commonwealth are eligible to use Statewide Contracts. Some Statewide Contracts may be open to additional organizations, and some are more restricted in usage.
Benefits using OSD’s Statewide Contracts
Save Time
By using OSD’s Statewide Contracts (SWCs), there is no need to invest valuable time developing solicitations, issuing bids, evaluating responses, and executing contracts. OSD has negotiated the pricing (or required competitive quotes), selected the appropriate vendors, and outlined the services the vendors perform relative to the contract. The work has been done to bring the best value/best price to the contracts, so you may forgo this step in the process. Local government purchasers should be aware that purchases made from SWCs procured through the OSD meet the requirements of M.G.L. c. 30B (1)(c). Users must comply with the use guidelines provided for each SWC, which are outlined in each Statewide Contract User Guide.
Save Money
OSD’s SWCs are intended to leverage the Commonwealth’s aggregate purchasing power by driving down costs and ensuring favorable contract terms and conditions. OSD ensures that all Statewide Contracts comply with prevailing wage requirements, as applicable, regardless of the dollar amount.
Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs)
EPPs are products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Many of the products on SWC have been chosen because of their reduced impact on the environment.
Options to use Diverse Vendors
When posting bids in COMMBUYS, you reach a larger audience of vendors at no cost to you for registration, postage, or advertising.
Reference:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2020). Offered by Operational Services Division. Mass.gov. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/info-details/why-use-statewide-contracts
