UNIFORM PROCUREMENT ACT

M.G.L. pt. Part I, tit. Title III, ch. c. 30B

in effect

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 1 Application of chapter

c. 30B, § 1. Application of chapter Section 1. (a) This chapter shall apply to every contract for the procurement of supplies, services or real property and for disposing of supplies or real property by a governmental body as defined herein. (b) This chapter shall not apply to: (1) a contract subject to the provisions of section thirty-nine M of chapter thirty, section 11C or section 11I of chapter 25A or sections forty-four A to forty-four J, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and forty-nine; (2) a contract subject to the provisions of sections thirty-eight A1/2 to thirty-eight O, inclusive, of chapter seven; (3) an intergovernmental agreement subject to the provisions of section four A of chapter forty; (4) a transaction with the commonwealth, except as pertains to subsection (i) of section 16; (5) a contract for the purchase of materials, under specifications of the state department of highways, and at prices established by the department, pursuant to advertising and bidding for such purpose, in connection with work to be performed under the provisions of chapter eighty-one or chapter ninety; (6) a contract for the advertising of required notices; (7) an agreement between agencies, boards, commissions, authorities, departments or public instrumentalities of one city or town; (8) an agreement for the provision of special education pursuant to chapter seventy-one B and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; (9) a contract to purchase supplies or services from, or to dispose of supplies to, any agency or instrumentality of the federal government, the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or any other state or political subdivision thereof; (10) the issuance of bonds, notes or securities in accordance with procedures established by law; (11) contracts and investments made in accordance with sections fifty-seven or fifty-seven A of chapter thirty-five or sections sixty-seven or sixty-seven A of chapter forty-four; (12) a contract for the procurement of insurance or surety bonds, including an agreement subject to the provisions of sections one to sixteen, inclusive, of chapter forty M or the provisions of sections twenty-five E to twenty-five U, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and fifty-two; (13) contracts for the services of expert witnesses for use in an adjudicatory proceeding or litigation or in anticipation thereof; (14) any contracts or agreements entered into by a municipal gas or electric department governed by a municipal light board, as defined by section fifty-five of chapter one hundred and sixty-four or by a municipal light commission, as defined by section fifty-six A of said chapter one hundred and sixty-four; provided, however, that any such board or commission may accept the provisions of this chapter by a majority vote of its members; (15) contracts with labor relations representatives, lawyers, or certified public accountants; (16) contracts with physicians, dentists, and other health care individuals or persons including nurses, nurses' assistants, medical and laboratory technicians, health care providers including diagnosticians, social workers, psychiatric workers, and veterinarians; (17) a contract for snow plowing by a governmental body; (18) a contract or lease by a governmental body of its boat slips, berths, or moorings; (19) a contract for retirement board services; provided, however, that the procurements shall take place under section 23B of chapter 32; (20) a contract which is funded by proceeds derived from a gift to a governmental body or a trust established for the benefit of a governmental body; (21) a contract for the towing and storage for motor vehicles; (22) a contract to provide job-related training, educational or career development services to the employees of a governmental body; [There is no clause (23).] (24) a contract for ambulance service by a governmental body; (25) a contract to sell lease or acquire residential, institutional, industrial or commercial real property by a public or quasi-public economic development agency or urban renewal agency engaged in the development and disposition of said real property in accordance with a plan approved by the appropriate authorizing authority; (26) a contract for the collection of delinquent taxes or for the services of a deputy tax collector; (27) contracts or agreements entered into by a municipal hospital or a municipal department of health; (28) contracts entered into by a governmental body on behalf of a hospital owned by such governmental body where such contract is funded by expenditures from an operations account, so-called, or a special account, established pursuant to a special act that is maintained for the benefit of and designated with the name of such hospital; (29) any contracts, agreements or leases entered into by a municipal airport commission established under the provisions of section fifty-one E of chapter ninety; provided, however, that such contracts, agreements or leases apply to aviation uses or the sale of aviation fuel; (30) a contract for the collection, transportation, receipt, processing or disposal of solid waste, recyclable or compostable materials; (31) an agreement for the purchase of photography services entered into by a public school; (32) energy aggregation contracts entered into by a political subdivision of the commonwealth for energy or energy related services arranged or negotiated by such subdivision on behalf of its residents; (32A) contracts with architects, engineers and related professionals;. (33) energy contracts entered into by a city or town or group of cities or towns or political subdivisions of the commonwealth, for energy or energy related services; provided, however, that within 15 days of the signing of a contract for energy or energy related services by a city, town, political subdivision, or group of cities, towns or political subdivisions said city, town, political subdivision, or group of cities, towns or political subdivisions shall submit to the department of public utilities, the department of energy resources, and the office of the inspector general a copy of the contract and a report of the process used to execute the contract; provided, further, that for any such contract determined to contain confidential information under subclause (r) of section 7 of chapter 4, the governmental body shall instead maintain a record of the procurement processes and awards for 6 years after the date of the final payment. The governmental body shall make such records available to the inspector general upon request; provided, however, that the inspector general shall not disclose said information; or (34) a contract made in accordance with section 5 of chapter 111C. (c) This chapter shall be deemed to have been complied with on all purchases made under the provisions of sections twenty-two A and twenty-two B of chapter seven when one political subdivision, as defined in said section twenty-two A, acting on behalf of other political subdivisions, complies with the provisions of this chapter, or when purchases are made from a vendor pursuant to a contract with the commonwealth for the item or items being purchased. (d) Where a procurement involves the expenditure of federal assistance or contract funds, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the extent that such provisions prevent compliance with mandatory provisions of federal law and regulations. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, a governmental body may enter into a contract, in conformance with this chapter, for the construction and for services at a facility owned by a private party or parties, whether such facility will be located on public or private land for the disposal, recycling, composting or treatment of solid waste, sewage, septage or sludge without said contract being subject to the competitive bid process as set forth in sections thirty-eight A1/2 to thirty-eight O, inclusive, of chapter seven, section thirty-nine M of chapter thirty, or sections forty-four A to forty-four J, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and forty-nine; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to a procurement of proprietary environmental technology in accordance with subsection (5) of section forty-four A of chapter one hundred and forty-nine. (f) This chapter shall be deemed to have been complied with on all purchases made from a vendor pursuant to a General Services Administration federal supply schedule that is available for use by governmental bodies. (g) Notwithstanding section 39M of chapter 30, or any general or special law to the contrary, a governmental body may, in a single procurement in accordance with section 5, procure: (i) broadband internet service; (ii) the design, installation, maintenance and operation of fiber optic cables and other equipment to provide broadband internet service to a public building or buildings; (iii) the design, installation, maintenance and operation of a wireless communication network for a public building or public land; or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. All such fiber optic cables, wireless network equipment and other physical improvements designed, installed, maintained and operated pursuant to such procurement shall be considered supplies.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 2 Definitions

c. 30B, § 2. Definitions Section 2. As used in this chapter the following words shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:— ''Architect and engineer'', (i) a person performing professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by law, which are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered or certified to provide such services as described herein; (ii) professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, investigations, inspections, tests, evaluations, consultations, program management, value engineering, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and (iii) such other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or incidental services, which members of the architectural and engineering professions and individuals in their employ may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, soil tests, construction phase services, drawing reviews, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, soils engineering, cost estimates or programs; preparation of drawings, plans, or specifications, supervision or administration of a construction contract, construction management or scheduling, preparation of operation and maintenance manuals and other related services. ''Bid'', a written offer to provide a supply or service at a stated price submitted in response to an invitation for bids. ''Chief procurement officer'', the purchasing agent appointed pursuant to section one hundred and three of chapter forty-one, or as to any city or town which has not accepted said section, an individual duly appointed in a city having a city manager, by the city manager, in a town having a town manager, by the town manager, in any other town, by the selectmen, or, in any city or town otherwise providing by charter or local by-law for the appointment of a chief procurement officer, in accordance with such charter or local by-law, to procure all supplies and services for the city or town and every governmental body thereof; an individual duly appointed in a district by the prudential committee, if any, otherwise the commissioners to procure all supplies and services for the district; an individual duly appointed in a regional school district by the regional school district committee to procure all supplies and services for the regional school district; an individual duly appointed in a county having a county executive, by the county executive, or in any other county, by the commission, to procure all supplies and services for the county and every governmental body thereof; or an individual duly appointed by the governing board of an authority or other governmental body to procure supplies and services for the authority or governmental body. ''Contract'', all types of agreement for the procurement or disposal of supplies or services, regardless of what the parties may call the agreement. ''Contractor'', a person having a contract with the governmental body. ''Cooperative purchasing'', procurement conducted by, or on behalf of, more than 1 public procurement unit or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity. ''Electronic bidding'', the electronic solicitation and receipt of offers to contract for supplies and services; provided, however, that offers may be accepted and contracts may be entered into by use of electronic bidding. ''Employment agreement'', any agreement between a governmental body and an individual pursuant to which (1) the governmental body withholds or is required to withhold taxes on the individual's wages pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code or chapter sixty-two B; or (2) the governmental body and the individual stand under common law rules in the legal relationship of employer and employee. ''External procurement activity'', (a) a public agency not located in the commonwealth which would qualify as a public procurement unit; (b) buying by the United States government. ''Governmental body'', a city, town, district, regional school district, county, or agency, board, commission, authority, department or instrumentality of a city, town, district, regional school district or county. ''Grant agreement'', an agreement between a governmental body and an individual or nonprofit entity the purpose of which is to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation instead of procuring supplies or services for the benefit or use of the governmental body. ''Invitation for bids'', the documents utilized for the soliciting of bids, including documents attached or incorporated by reference. ''Labor relations representative'', a person designated to represent a public employer and act in its interest in dealing with public employees pursuant to chapter one hundred and fifty E. ''Local public procurement unit'', a political subdivision or unit thereof which expends public funds for the procurement of supplies. ''Majority vote'', as to any action by or on behalf of a county or instrumentality of the county, a simple majority of the commission; a city, town, or district, a majority vote as defined in section one of chapter forty-four; a regional school district, an affirmative vote by two-thirds of the members of the regional district school committee; or a housing authority, a simple majority of its members. ''Minor informalities'', minor deviations, insignificant mistakes, and matters of form rather than substance of the bid, proposal, or contract document which can be waived or corrected without prejudice to other offerors, potential offerors, or the governmental body. ''Person'', any natural person, business, partnership, corporation, union, committee, club, or other organization, entity or group of individuals. ''Procurement'', buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring a supply or service, and all functions that pertain to the obtaining of a supply or service, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract, and all phases of contract administration. ''Procurement officer'', an individual duly authorized pursuant to law, charter, or local by-law to procure a supply or service for a governmental body or to dispose of a supply, including an individual duly delegated to take any action in connection with a procurement, and further including any member of a board, committee, commission, or other body who participates in a procurement. ''Proposal'', a written offer to provide a supply or service at a stated price submitted in response to a request for proposals. ''Public procurement unit'', a local public procurement unit or a state public procurement unit. ''Purchase description'', the words used in a solicitation to describe the supplies or services to be purchased, including specifications attached to or incorporated by reference into the solicitation. ''Related professionals'', professionals engaged in professional services, including land surveying, landscape architecture, environmental science, planning and licensed site professionals, which are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered or certified to provide such services as described herein, including professional services performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, investigations, inspections, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, value engineering, construction, alteration or repair of real property and such other professional services or incidental services which members of the related professions and individuals in their employ may logically or justifiably perform, including master plans, studies, surveys, soil tests, cost estimates or program, preparation of drawings, plans or specifications, supervision or administration of a construction contract, construction management or scheduling, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, cost estimating, preparation of operation and maintenance manuals and other related services; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to constitute regulation or oversight of any designated firms or identified professional services. ''Request for proposals'', the documents utilized for soliciting proposals, including documents attached or incorporated by reference. ''Reverse auction'', an internet-based process used to buy supplies and services whereby the sellers of the supplies or services being auctioned anonymously bid against each other until time expires and until the governmental body determines from which sellers it will buy based on the pricing obtained during the process. ''Responsible bidder or offeror'', a person who has the capability to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and reliability which assures good faith performance. ''Responsive bidder or offeror'', a person who has submitted a bid or proposal which conforms in all respects to the invitation for bids or request for proposals. ''Services'', the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a contractor, not involving the furnishing of a specific end product other than reports. This term shall not include employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements, or grant agreements. ''Sound business practices'', ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes. ''State public procurement unit'', the offices of the chief procurement officers and any other purchasing agency of the commonwealth or any other state. ''Supplies'', all property, other than real property, including equipment, materials, printing, and insurance and further including services incidental to the delivery, conveyance and installation of such property.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 3 Procurement contracts; files

c. 30B, § 3. Procurement contracts; files Section 3. A procurement officer who awards a contract in the amount of $10,000 or more shall maintain a file on each such contract and shall include in such file a copy of all written documents required by this chapter. Written documents required by this chapter shall be retained by the governmental body for at least six years from the date of final payment under the contract. Except as provided by paragraph (d) of section six, the records shall be open to public inspection.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 4 Submission of quotations

c. 30B, § 4. Submission of quotations Section 4. (a) Except as permitted pursuant to this section and section 7, for the procurement of a supply or service for a governmental body in the amount of $10,000 or greater, but not more than $50,000, a procurement officer shall seek written quotations from not fewer than 3 persons customarily providing the supply or service; provided, however, that for the procurement of a supply or service for a municipal or regional school district, such amount shall be $10,000 or greater but not more than $100,000. The procurement officer shall record the: (i) names and addresses of all person from whom quotations were sought; (ii) purchase description used for the procurement; (iii) names of the persons submitting quotations; and (iv) date and amount of each quotation. Such information shall be retained in the file required pursuant to section 3. A governmental body may require that any procurement for the governmental body in an amount of not more than $50,000 shall be subject to section 5; provided, however, that any procurement for a municipal or regional school district such amount shall be not more than $100,000. (b) The procurement officer shall award the contract to the responsible person offering the needed quality of supply or service at the lowest quotation. (c) A procurement in the amount of less than $10,000 shall be obtained through the exercise of sound business practices. (d) A procurement officer, who follows sound business practices, may award contracts which include individual purchases of less than $35,000 to Massachusetts farm operations for the procurement of products of agriculture as defined in section 1A of chapter 128 including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, meats, crops, horticultural products and products processed into value added products, that are grown or produced using products grown in the commonwealth as well as fish, seafood and other aquatic products, without seeking quotations as required under subsection (a).

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 5 Competitive sealed bidding procedures

c. 30B, § 5. Competitive sealed bidding procedures Section 5. (a) Except as permitted under section 6 or section 8, award of procurement contracts in the amount of more than $50,000 or, in the case of a municipal or regional school district, award of procurement contracts in the amount of more than $100,000, shall conform to the competitive sealed bidding procedures set forth in this section. This subsection shall not apply to contracts for the procurement of real property. (b) A procurement officer shall issue an invitation for bids for a procurement contract. The invitation for bids shall include: (1) the time and date for receipt of bids, the address of the office to which bids are to be delivered, the maximum time for bid acceptance by the governmental body; (2) the purchase description and all evaluation criteria to be utilized pursuant to paragraph (e); and (3) all contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement. The invitation for bids may incorporate documents by reference; provided, however, that the invitation for bids specifies where prospective bidders may obtain the documents. The procurement officer shall make copies of the invitation for bids available to all persons on an equal basis. (c) The procurement officer shall give public notice of the invitation for bids a reasonable time prior to the date for the opening of bids. The notice shall: (1) indicate where, when and for how long invitations for bids may be obtained; (2) describe the supply or service desired, and reserve the right of the governmental body to reject any or all bids; (3) if award of the contract is subject to the approval of any board, committee, commission or other body, so state and identify each such body; (4) remain posted, for at least two weeks, in a conspicuous place in or near the offices of the governmental body until the time specified in the invitation for bids; and (5) be published at least once, not less than two weeks prior to the time specified for the receipt of bids, in a newspaper of general circulation within the area served by the governmental body and on the COMMBUYS system administered by the operational services division. For procurements in the amount of more than $50,000, or, for a municipal or regional school district, more than $100,000, or such larger amount as may be established by the state secretary, the procurement officer shall also place the notice in any publication established by the state secretary for the advertisement of such procurements. The procurement officer may distribute copies of the notice to prospective bidders, and may compile and maintain lists of prospective bidders to which notices may be sent. A city or town which regularly publishes a periodical listing municipal contracting opportunities may apply to the state secretary for permission to utilize such periodical in lieu of advertising in a newspaper of general circulation. The state secretary, after notice and an opportunity for interested persons to present their views, may grant, renew, or revoke permission for said city or town to utilize such periodical in lieu of newspaper advertising for procurements or classes of procurements not to exceed such amount as may be established by the state secretary. Such permission shall remain in effect for a specified period not to exceed three years. In granting, renewing, or revoking such permission, the state secretary shall consider whether the periodical provides prospective contractors with reasonable notice of contracting opportunities, taking account of such factors as circulation, accessibility, reliability, and cost of the periodical. Such permission and any renewal or revocation thereof shall be in writing filed with the city or town clerk, the inspector general, and the state secretary. (d) The procurement officer shall open bids publicly either (1) at a meeting subject to the provisions of section eleven A1/2 of chapter thirty A, section nine G of chapter thirty-four or section twenty-three B of chapter thirty-nine, in the presence of a quorum, and the names of all bidders and the amounts of their bids shall be entered in the minutes, or (2) in the presence of one or more witnesses, and the procurement officer and said witnesses shall sign a statement under penalties of perjury listing the names of all bidders and the amounts of their bids and declaring that said list is a complete and accurate list of bids opened in the presence of said witnesses. Such minutes or statement, or a certified copy thereof, shall be filed with the contract. (e) The procurement officer shall evaluate a bid based solely on the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids. Such criteria shall include the standards by which the procurement officer will determine acceptability as to quality, workmanship, results of inspections and tests, and suitability for a particular purpose. (f) The procurement officer shall unconditionally accept a bid without alteration or correction, except as provided in this paragraph. A bidder may correct, modify, or withdraw a bid by written notice received in the office designated in the invitation for bids prior to the time and date set for the bid opening. After bid opening, a bidder may not change the price or any other provision of the bid in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the governmental body or fair competition. The procurement officer shall waive minor informalities or allow the bidder to correct them. If a mistake and the intended bid are clearly evident on the face of the bid document, the procurement officer shall correct the mistake to reflect the intended correct bid and so notify the bidder in writing, and the bidder may not withdraw the bid. A bidder may withdraw a bid if a mistake is clearly evident on the face of the bid document but the intended correct bid is not similarly evident. (g) The procurement officer shall award the contract to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. A contract requiring payment to the governmental body of a net monetary amount shall be awarded to the highest responsible and responsive bidder. The procurement officer shall award the contract by written notice to the selected bidder within the time for acceptance specified in the invitation for bids. The time for acceptance may be extended for up to 45 days by mutual agreement between the governmental body and the apparent lowest responsible and responsive bidder or, for a contract requiring payment to the governmental body, by mutual agreement between the governmental body and the highest apparent responsible and responsive bidder.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 6 Competitive sealed proposals; requests for proposals; additional evaluation criteria

c. 30B, § 6. Competitive sealed proposals; requests for proposals; additional evaluation criteria Section 6. (a) A chief procurement officer may enter into procurement contracts in the amount of more than $50,000, or, a municipal or regional school district, more than $100,000, utilizing competitive sealed proposals, in accordance with the provisions of this section. The chief procurement officer shall not solicit competitive sealed proposals unless he has determined in writing that selection of the most advantageous offer requires comparative judgments of factors in addition to price, specifying the reasons for his determination. (b) The chief procurement officer shall solicit proposals through a request for proposals. The request for proposals shall include: (1) the time and date for receipt of proposals, the address of the office to which the proposals are to be delivered, the maximum time for proposal acceptance by the governmental body; (2) the purchase description and all evaluation criteria that will be utilized pursuant to paragraph (e); and (3) all contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement provided that the contract may incorporate by reference a plan submitted by the selected offeror for providing the required supplies or services. The request for proposals may incorporate documents by reference; provided, however, that the request for proposals specifies where prospective offerors may obtain the documents. The request for proposals shall provide for the separate submission of price, and shall indicate when and how the offerors shall submit the price. The chief procurement officer shall make copies of the request for proposals available to all persons on an equal basis. (c) Public notice of the request for proposals shall conform to the procedures set forth in paragraph (c) of section five. (d) The chief procurement officer shall not open the proposals publicly, but shall open them in the presence of one or more witnesses at the time specified in the request for proposals. Notwithstanding the provisions of section seven of chapter four, until the completion of the evaluations, or until the time for acceptance specified in the request for proposals, whichever occurs earlier, the contents of the proposals shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to competing offerors. At the opening of proposals the chief procurement officer shall prepare a register of proposals which shall include the name of each offeror and the number of modifications, if any, received. The register of proposals shall be open for public inspection. The chief procurement officer may open the price proposals at a later time, and shall open the price proposals so as to avoid disclosure to the individuals evaluating the proposals on the basis of criteria other than price. (e) The chief procurement officer shall designate the individual or individuals responsible for the evaluation of the proposals on the basis of criteria other than price. The designated individuals shall prepare their evaluations based solely on the criteria set forth in the request for proposals. Such criteria shall include all standards by which acceptability will be determined as to quality, workmanship, results of inspections and tests, and suitability for a particular purpose, and shall also include all other performance measures that will be utilized. The evaluations shall specify in writing: (1) for each evaluation criterion, a rating of each proposal as highly advantageous, advantageous, not advantageous, or unacceptable, and the reasons for the rating; (2) a composite rating for each proposal, and the reasons for the rating; and (3) revisions, if any, to each proposed plan for providing the required supplies or services which should be obtained by negotiation prior to awarding the contract to the offeror of the proposal. (f) A proposal may be corrected, modified or withdrawn to the extent provided in paragraph (f) of section five. (g) The chief procurement officer shall determine the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The chief procurement officer shall award the contract by written notice to the selected offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the request for proposals. The parties may extend the time for acceptance by mutual agreement. The chief procurement officer may condition an award on successful negotiation of the revisions specified in the evaluation, and shall explain in writing the reasons for omitting any such revision from a plan incorporated by reference in the contract. (h) If the chief procurement officer awards the contract to an offeror who did not submit the lowest price, the chief procurement officer shall explain the reasons for the award in writing, specifying in reasonable detail the basis for determining that the quality of supplies or services under the contract will not exceed the governmental body's actual needs. (i) If a contract requiring payment to the governmental body of a net monetary sum is awarded to an offeror who did not submit the highest price, the chief procurement officer shall explain the reasons for the award in writing as set forth in paragraph (h). (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, with respect to contracts for the recycling or composting of solid waste or the treatment, composting or disposal of sewage, septage or sludge at a facility to be owned and constructed by a private party or parties whether such facility will be, located on public or private land, the request for proposals may include proposed contractual terms and conditions to be incorporated into the contract, some of which may be deemed mandatory or non-negotiable, provided that the request for proposals may request proposals or offer options for fulfillment of other contractual terms. The chief procurement officer shall make a preliminary determination of the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The chief procurement officer may negotiate all terms of the contract not deemed mandatory or non-negotiable with such offeror. If after negotiation with such offeror, the chief procurement officer determines that it is in the best interests of the governmental body, the chief procurement officer may determine the proposal which is the next most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals, and may negotiate all terms of the contract with such offeror. The chief procurement officer shall award the contract to the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price, the evaluated criteria set forth in the request for proposals, and the terms of the negotiated contract. The chief procurement officer shall award the contract by written notice to the selected offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the request for proposals. The time for acceptance may be extended for up to 45 days by mutual agreement between the governmental body and the responsible and responsive offeror offering the most advantageous proposal as determined by the chief procurement officer. (k) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, with respect to contracts for energy-related services entered into by a city or town or group of cities or towns, the requests for proposals may include proposed contractual terms and conditions to be incorporated into the contract, some of which may be deemed mandatory or non-negotiable; provided, however, that the request for proposals may request proposals or offer options for fulfillment of other contractual terms. The chief procurement officer shall make a preliminary determination of the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria set forth in a request for proposals. The chief procurement officer may negotiate all terms of the contract not deemed mandatory or non-negotiable with such offeror. If after negotiation with such offeror the chief procurement officer determines that it is in the best interest of the governmental body, the chief procurement officer may determine the proposal which is the next most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals, and may negotiate all terms of the contract with such offeror. The chief procurement officer shall award the contract to the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive offeror taking into consideration price, the evaluated criteria set forth in the request for proposals, and the terms of the negotiated contract. The chief procurement officer shall award the contract by written notice to the selected offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the request for proposals. The parties may extend the time for acceptance by mutual agreement.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 6A Utilization of reverse auctions for the acquisition of supplies and services

c. 30B, § 6A. Utilization of reverse auctions for the acquisition of supplies and services Section 6A. (a) A chief procurement officer may enter into procurement contracts for more than $50,000, or, a municipal or regional school district, more than $100,000, utilizing reverse auctions for the acquisition of supplies and services. The reverse auction process shall include a specification of an opening date and time when real-time electronic bids shall be accepted and shall provide that the procedure remain open until the designated closing date and time. (b) All bids on reverse auctions shall be posted electronically on the internet and updated on a real-time basis and shall allow for registered bidders to lower the price of their bid below the lowest bid on the internet. (c) The chief procurement officer shall require vendors to register before the reverse auction opening date and time and, as part of the registration, agree to any terms and conditions and other requirements of the solicitation. (d) Any mechanism including, but not limited to, software, developed by the operational services division to conduct reverse auctions by the commonwealth, shall provide for the utilization of that mechanism by municipalities. (e) The operational services division may assess a municipality utilizing the reverse auction mechanism a reasonable fee, calculated to compensate for any increased cost attributable to such utilization, which shall be credited to the General Fund. (f) Reverse auctions shall not be subject to clause (1) of subsection (b) or subsection (d) of section 5 but shall be subject to all other provisions of said section 5.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 7 Sole source procurements

c. 30B, § 7. Sole source procurements Section 7. (a) A procurement officer may award a contract in an amount of not more than $50,000, or, a municipal or regional school district, more than $100,000, or any contract for the procurement of library books, school textbooks, educational programs, educational courses, educational curricula in any media including educational software, newspapers, serials, periodicals, audiovisual materials or software maintenance without competition when, after reasonable investigation, the procurement officer determines in writing that only one practicable source for the required supply or service exists. The procurement officer shall procure a proprietary item by competition if more than one potential bidder or offeror for that item exists. (b) The procurement officer shall record all sole source procurements, specifying each contractor's name, the amount and type of each contract, a listing of supplies or services procured under each contract, and the basis of the determination that the contractor was the only practicable source for the required supply or service. (c) A procurement officer may procure without competition water, gas, electricity, sewer or telephone services from a regulated industry company as defined in section three of chapter twenty-five if the procurement officer certifies in writing that only one practicable source exists.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 8 Emergency procurements

c. 30B, § 8. Emergency procurements Section 8. Whenever the time required to comply with a requirement of this chapter would endanger the health or safety of the people or their property a procurement officer may make an emergency procurement without following that requirement. An emergency procurement shall be limited to only supplies or services necessary to meet the emergency and shall conform to the requirements of this chapter to the extent practicable under the circumstances. The procurement officer shall make a record of each emergency as soon after the procurement as practicable, specifying each contractor's name, the amount and the type of each contract, a listing of the supply or service provided under each contract, and the basis for determining the need for an emergency procurement. The procurement officer shall submit a copy of this record at the earliest possible time to the state secretary for placement in any publication established by the state secretary for the advertisement of procurements.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 9 Cancellation of invitation for bids; rejection of bids or proposals

c. 30B, § 9. Cancellation of invitation for bids; rejection of bids or proposals Section 9. The procurement officer may cancel an invitation for bids, a request for proposals, or other solicitation, or may reject in whole or in part any and all bids or proposals when the procurement officer determines that cancellation or rejection serves the best interests of the governmental body. The procurement officer shall state in writing the reason for a cancellation or rejection.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 10 Certification of good faith

c. 30B, § 10. Certification of good faith Section 10. A person submitting a bid or a proposal for the procurement or disposal of supplies or services to any governmental body shall certify in writing, on the bid or proposal, as follows: The undersigned certifies under penalties of perjury that this bid or proposal has been made and submitted in good faith and without collusion or fraud with any other person. As used in this certification, the word ''person'' shall mean any natural person, business, partnership, corporation, union, committee, club, or other organization, entity, or group of individuals. _____________________________________________ (Signature of individual submitting bid or proposal) _____________________________________________ (Name of business)

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 11 Splitting of procurements

c. 30B, § 11. Splitting of procurements Section 11. No person shall cause or conspire to cause the splitting or division of any procurement, specification, invitation for bids, request for proposals, proposal, solicitation, or quotation for the purpose of evading a requirement of this chapter.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 12 Term of contract; information to be included in solicitation; cancellation of contract

c. 30B, § 12. Term of contract; information to be included in solicitation; cancellation of contract Section 12. (a) Unless otherwise provided by law and subject to paragraph (b), a governmental body may enter into a contract for any period of time which serves the best interests of the governmental body; provided, however, that the procurement officer shall include in the solicitation the term of the contract and conditions of renewal, extension or purchase, if any. The procurement officer shall not enter into a contract unless funds are available for the first fiscal year at the time of contracting. Payment and performance obligations for succeeding fiscal years shall depend on the availability and appropriation of funds. (b) Unless authorized by majority vote, a procurement officer shall not award a contract for a term exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension, or option. Such authorization may apply to a single contract or to any number or types of contracts, and may specify a uniform limit or different limits on the duration of any such contracts. (c) The invitation for bids, request for proposals, or other solicitation of any contract for a term exceeding one year, including a renewal, extension or option, shall state, in addition to the other information required by this chapter: (1) the amount of supplies or services required for the proposed contract period, and whether such amount is the actual amount required or an estimate; (2) that the bidder or offeror shall give a unit price for each supply or service, and that the unit price shall remain the same throughout the contract, except to the extent that the solicitation and resulting contract provides for price adjustments; (3) that the procurement officer shall cancel the contract if funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support continuation of performance in any fiscal year succeeding the first year; (4) whether the bidder or offeror shall submit prices for: (i) the first fiscal year only; (ii) the entire time of performance only; or (iii) both the first fiscal year and the entire time of performance; and (5) how the award will be determined, including, if the contractor submits prices for the first fiscal year and the entire time of performance, how the prices will be compared. When a contract is to contain an option for renewal, extension, or purchase, the solicitation shall include notice of the provision. The governmental body shall retain sole discretion in exercising the option, and no exercise of an option shall be subject to agreement or acceptance by the contractor. (d) When funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support continuation of performance in a subsequent fiscal year, the procurement officer shall cancel the contract. (e) The governmental body shall not exercise an option for renewal, extension or purchase unless the procurement officer, after reasonable investigation of costs and benefits, has determined in writing that the exercise of the option is more advantageous than alternate means of procuring comparable supplies or services. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), clause (3) of paragraph (c) and paragraph (d) and further notwithstanding any contrary provision of any law or the provisions of any charter, a city or town may, in a contract for the disposal of its garbage, refuse, and offal or treatment or disposal of sewage, septage or sludge, agree that said city or town shall not be exempt from liability on such contract; provided, however, that such disposal shall be in a sanitary manner approved by the department of environmental protection; provided further, that the contract, including any renewal, extension, or option, shall be for a period not exceeding twenty years; and provided, further, that such contract has been authorized by majority vote.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 13 Increase of services or supplies specified in contract

c. 30B, § 13. Increase of services or supplies specified in contract Section 13. The governmental body may increase the quantity of supplies or services or both specified in a contract provided: (1) the unit prices remain the same or less; (2) the procurement officer has specified in writing that an increase is necessary to fulfill the actual needs of the governmental body and is more economical and practical than awarding another contract; (3) the parties agree to the increase in writing; and (4) the increase in the total contract price does not exceed 25 per cent but a contract for the purchase of gasoline, special fuel, fuel oil, road salt or other ice and snow control supplies shall not be subject to this limit; and (5) the governmental body, with the agreement of the contractor, may reduce the unit price for supplies or services or both specified in a contract to be paid by the governmental body at any time during the term of the contract or when an option to renew, extend or purchase is exercised.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 13A Recycling or composting contracts; modifications and amendments

c. 30B, § 13A. Recycling or composting contracts; modifications and amendments Section 13A. With respect to contracts for the recycling or composting of solid waste or the treatment, composting or disposal of sewage, septage or sludge authorized under the provisions of subsection (e) of section one, the governmental body may negotiate modifications and amendments to contracts for recycling services involving the addition of materials to be collected or processed, the deletion of materials to be collected or processed, the change in specifications with respect to materials to be collected or processed, and any price adjustments related to such modifications and amendments, where the contract is for a term of two years, or more, and where such changes are based upon changes in market conditions since the commencement of the contract, provided: (1) after reasonable investigation of costs and benefits, the chief procurement officer has determined in writing that such modification is in the best interest of the governmental body; and (2) where the modification involves the addition of materials and an increase in price to the governmental body, the chief procurement officer has determined in writing that the amendment is more advantageous than alternate means of procuring such services.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 14 Specification requirements; proprietary supply or service and sole source procurement

c. 30B, § 14. Specification requirements; proprietary supply or service and sole source procurement Section 14. Unless no other manner of description suffices, and the procurement officer so determines in writing, setting forth the basis for the determination, all specifications shall be written in a manner which describes the requirements to be met without having the effect of exclusively requiring a proprietary supply or service, or a procurement from a sole source.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 15 Tangible supply; disposition

c. 30B, § 15. Tangible supply; disposition Section 15. (a) A governmental body shall dispose of a tangible supply, no longer useful to the governmental body but having resale or salvage value, in accordance with this section. This section does not apply to the disposal of real property. (b) The governmental body shall offer such supply through competitive sealed bids, public auction, or established markets. (c) Notice of sale by bid or auction shall conform with the procedures set forth in paragraph (c) of section five. The notice shall indicate the supply offered for sale, designate the location and method for inspection of such supply, state the terms and conditions of sale including the place, date and time for the bid opening or auction, and state that the governmental body retains the right to reject any and all bids. (d) If the governmental body rejects the bid of the highest responsive bidder, the governmental body may: (1) negotiate a sale of such supply so long as the negotiated sale price is higher than the bid price; or (2) resolicit bids. (e) A procurement officer may trade-in a supply listed for trade-in in the invitation for bids or request for proposals. (f) For a supply with an estimated net value of less than $10,000, the procurement officer shall dispose of such supply using written procedures approved by the governmental body. (g) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this section, a governmental body may by majority vote, unless otherwise prohibited by law, dispose of a tangible supply no longer useful to the governmental body but having resale or salvage value, at less than the fair market value to a charitable organization which has received a tax exemption from the United States by reason of its charitable nature.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 16 Real property; disposition or acquisition

c. 30B, § 16. Real property; disposition or acquisition Section 16. (a) If a governmental body duly authorized by general or special law to engage in such transaction determines that it shall rent, convey, or otherwise dispose of real property, the governmental body shall declare the property available for disposition and shall specify the restrictions, if any, that it will place on the subsequent use of the property. (b) The governmental body shall determine the value of the property through procedures customarily accepted by the appraising profession as valid. (c) A governmental body shall solicit proposals prior to: (1) acquiring by purchase or rental real property or an interest therein from any person at a cost exceeding $35,000; or (2) disposing of, by sale or rental to any person, real property or any interest therein, determined in accordance with paragraph (b) to exceed $35,000 dollars in value. (d) The governmental body shall place an advertisement inviting the submission of proposals in a newspaper with a circulation in the locality sufficient to inform the people of the affected locality. The governmental body shall publish the advertisement at least once a week for two consecutive weeks. The last publication shall occur at least eight days preceding the day for opening proposals. The advertisement shall specify the geographical area, terms and requirements of the proposed transaction, and the time and place for the submission of proposals. In the case of the acquisition or disposition of more than twenty-five hundred square feet of real property, the governmental body shall also cause such advertisement to be published, at least thirty days before the opening of proposals, in the central register published by the state secretary pursuant to section twenty A of chapter nine. (e) The governmental body may shorten or waive the advertising requirement if: (1) the governmental body determines that an emergency exists and the time required to comply with the requirements would endanger the health or safety of the people or their property; provided, however, that the governmental body shall state the reasons for declaring the emergency in the central register at the earliest opportunity; or (2) in the case of a proposed acquisition, the governmental body determines in writing that advertising will not benefit the governmental body's interest because of the unique qualities or location of the property needed. The determination shall specify the manner in which the property proposed for acquisition satisfies the unique requirements. The governmental body shall publish the determination and the reasons for the determination, along with the names of the parties having a beneficial interest in the property pursuant to section forty J of chapter seven, the location and size of the property, and the proposed purchase price or rental terms, in the central register not less than thirty days before the governmental body executes a binding agreement to acquire the property. (f) Proposals shall be opened publicly at the time and place designated in the advertisement. The governmental body shall submit the name of the person selected as party to a real property transaction, and the amount of the transaction, to the state secretary for publication in the central register. (g) If the governmental body decides to dispose of property at a price less than the value as determined pursuant to paragraph (b), the governmental body shall publish notice of its decision in the central register, explaining the reasons for its decision and disclosing the difference between such value and the price to be received. (h) This section shall not apply to the rental of residential property to qualified tenants by a housing authority or a community development authority. (i) Acquisitions or dispositions of real property or any interest therein pursuant to this section between governmental bodies and the federal government, the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or another state or political subdivision thereof shall be subject to subsections (a), (b) and (g).

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 17 Writing requirement; invalidation of contracts; forfeiture; civil actions

c. 30B, § 17. Writing requirement; invalidation of contracts; forfeiture; civil actions Section 17. (a) All contracts in the amount of $10,000 or more shall be in writing, and the governmental body shall make no payment for a supply or service rendered prior to the execution of such contract. (b) Subject to the provisions of section three A of chapter forty, a contract made in violation of this chapter shall not be valid, and the governmental body shall make no payment under such contract. Minor informalities shall not require invalidation of a contract. (c) A person who causes or conspires with another to cause a contract to be solicited or awarded in violation of a provision of this chapter shall forfeit and pay to the appropriate governmental body a sum of not more than two thousand dollars for each violation. In addition, the person shall pay double the amount of damages sustained by the governmental body by reason of the violation, together with the costs of any action. If more than one person participates in the violation, the damages and costs may be apportioned among them. (d) The inspector general shall have authority to institute a civil action to enforce paragraph (c) if authorized by the attorney general.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 18 Sheltered market programs

c. 30B, § 18. Sheltered market programs Section 18. (a) For purposes of this section the following phrases shall have the following meanings: ''Disadvantaged vendor'', any business beneficially owned by one or more minority persons in conformity with clauses (1) to (4), inclusive, of the definition of ''Minority business'' set forth in section forty N of chapter seven, and any business beneficially owned by one or more women as provided in the definition of ''Women-owned business'' set forth in said section 40N and any business beneficially owned by 1 or more veterans as provided in the definition of ''veteran-owned business'' as set forth in section 40N. ''Sheltered market program'', a program under which certain contracts are designated by the chief procurement officer for procurement from one or more classes of disadvantaged vendors. (b) When authorized by majority vote, a chief procurement officer may establish a sheltered market program in conformity with the requirements of this section. Such authorization may apply to a single contract or to any number or types of contracts, shall specify the class or classes of disadvantaged vendors to be included in the sheltered market program, and shall to the extent constitutionally required be based on findings that such program is a remedy for the present effects of past discrimination. (c) A procurement officer shall not solicit or award a contract pursuant to a sheltered market program until the chief procurement officer, after notice and a public hearing, has approved written procedures for the operation of such program, has filed such procedures with the state office of minority and women business assistance and the secretary of state, and has published such procedures or a summary thereof in a newspaper of general circulation within the area served by the governmental body and in any publication established by the secretary of state for the advertisement of such notices. Such written procedures shall, at a minimum, include: (1) procedures for the certification of disadvantaged vendors, which procedures shall require the use of standardized application forms, the submission of applications sworn to under the penalties of perjury, the maintenance of certification records by the chief procurement officer or his designee, an opportunity for a business denied certification to be heard on such denial, the issuance of certificates valid for a period not longer than two years, notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to revocation of certificates, and a public information campaign to encourage certification; provided, however, that a governmental body's certification procedures may authorize participation in its sheltered market program by any eligible disadvantaged vendor duly certified under the sheltered market program of another governmental body or by the state office of minority and women business assistance; (2) in the event the authorization required by paragraph (b) does not designate the specific contracts to which the sheltered market program applies, procedures for designating such contracts, which procedures shall (i) set forth criteria for designating contracts, (ii) require that each designation be in writing and based on written findings that the contract meets such criteria, and (iii) provide for an administrative review of the appropriateness of including the contract in the sheltered market program; (3) procedures for ensuring effective competition among disadvantaged vendors for contracts within the sheltered market program, including procedures requiring (i) supplemental advertising in media serving disadvantaged communities, (ii) for the procurement of a supply or service in the amount of one thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars, the receipt of written or oral quotations from no fewer than three certified disadvantaged vendors customarily providing such supply or service; provided, however, that a quotation shall not be considered until the vendor has submitted to the procurement officer a copy of a valid certificate, and (iii) for the procurement of a supply or service in the amount of ten thousand dollars or more, the receipt of responsive bids or proposals from no fewer than three certified disadvantaged vendors; provided, however, that a bid or proposal shall not be considered unless accompanied by a copy of a valid certificate; and (4) procedures for review and assessment of the sheltered market program, at least annually, based upon a detailed written report by the chief procurement officer or his designee, which report shall at a minimum set forth for the twelve months then ending (i) the number and dollar value of contracts awarded to disadvantaged vendors under the sheltered market program, (ii) the total number, the percentage, the total dollar value, and the percentage dollar value of contracts awarded by the governmental body to disadvantaged vendors eligible for participation in the sheltered market program, (iii) a description of other efforts undertaken by the governmental body to increase its contracting with disadvantaged vendors, and (iv) recommendations for continuing, modifying, or terminating the program. A violation of any valid procedure adopted pursuant to this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter. (d) Advertisements for a contract within the sheltered market program shall state that the contract will be awarded under a sheltered market program and shall specify the class or classes of disadvantaged vendors to which competition for the contract is limited. (e) In no event shall a contract designated for inclusion in a sheltered market program be awarded on a sole source basis. If fewer than three responsive bids, proposals, or quotations are received, or if all bids, proposals, or quotations are rejected pursuant to section nine, the contract shall not be awarded under the sheltered market program. (f) No contract shall be awarded under a sheltered market program for a term exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension, or option. No disadvantaged vendor shall be awarded a sheltered market program contract if at the time of award such vendor is a party to any other sheltered market program contract the term of which, including any renewal, extension, or option, has not expired. No disadvantaged vendor shall be awarded more than three sheltered market program contracts by one or more governmental bodies within any one-year period. (g) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all procurements under a sheltered market program shall be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 19 Delegation of procurement officer's powers and duties

c. 30B, § 19. Delegation of procurement officer's powers and duties Section 19. Subject to the provisions of section one hundred and three of chapter forty-one, to the extent permitted by charter or local by-law in a city or town, or by written rules of the committee, commission or executive appointing the chief procurement officer in a district or county, a chief procurement officer may delegate his powers and duties in accordance with this section to one or more employees of the governmental body. A delegation shall be in writing, be signed by the chief procurement officer, and state the activity or function authorized and the duration of the delegation. A delegation may be in specific or general terms, may be limited to a particular procurement or class of procurements, and may be conditioned upon compliance with specified procedures. A delegation may be revoked or amended whenever the chief procurement officer determines that revocation or amendment is in the best interests of the governmental body. A delegation of powers or duties by a chief procurement officer and any revocation or amendment thereof shall not take effect until a copy of the same has been filed with the office of the inspector general.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 20 Preference for products of agriculture grown or produced using products grown in commonwealth; governmental bodies

c. 30B, § 20. Preference for products of agriculture grown or produced using products grown in commonwealth; governmental bodies Section 20. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary and to the extent permitted by federal law, a governmental body may, by a majority vote, establish a preference for products of agriculture as defined in section 1A of chapter 128 including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, meats, crops, horticultural products and products processed into value added products as part of a Massachusetts farm operation as well as fish, seafood, and other aquatic products. (b) Wherever a governmental body by a majority vote establishes a preference for the procurement of such products of agriculture grown or produced using products grown in the commonwealth, the procurement officer responsible for procuring agricultural products on behalf of the governmental body shall effectuate such preference in: (i) advertising for bids, contracts or otherwise and making reasonable efforts to facilitate the purchase of such products of agriculture grown or produced using products grown in the commonwealth; and (ii) purchasing products of agriculture grown or produced using products grown in the commonwealth, unless the price of such goods exceeds, by more than 10 per cent, the price of agricultural products grown or produced outside of the commonwealth.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 22 Cooperative purchasing agreements between public procurement units or public procurement unit and external procurement activity

c. 30B, § 22. Cooperative purchasing agreements between public procurement units or public procurement unit and external procurement activity Section 22. A public procurement unit may participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of supplies with public procurement units or external procurement activities in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. The public procurement unit conducting the procurement of supplies shall do so in a manner that constitutes a full and open competition.

M.G.L. c. 30B, § 23 Procuring electric vehicles and installation of electric vehicle supply equipment; bidder qualifications; security by bond

c. 30B, § 23. Procuring electric vehicles and installation of electric vehicle supply equipment; bidder qualifications; security by bond [Text of section effective until June 30, 2029. Repealed by 2024, 239, Sec. 35. See 2024, 239, Sec. 138.] Section 23. Notwithstanding section 39M of chapter 30 or any other general or special law to the contrary, a governmental body may, pursuant to this chapter, procure electric vehicles, including electric school buses, and the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment as defined in section 2 of chapter 25B for such electric vehicles. Electric vehicles and the installation of related electric vehicle supply equipment may be procured separately or in a single procurement. For the purposes of this section, electric vehicles shall be considered supplies and electric vehicle supply equipment and its installation shall be considered services; provided, however, that if electric vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment and its installation are procured in a single procurement both shall be considered supplies. A contract under this section shall only be awarded to a bidder who: (i) possesses the skill, ability and integrity necessary for the faithful performance of the work; (ii) certifies that it is able to furnish labor that can work in harmony with all other elements of labor employed or to be employed in the work; (iii) certifies that all employees to be employed at the worksite will have successfully completed a course in construction safety and health approved by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration that is not less than 10 hours in duration at the time the employee begins work and furnish documentation of successful completion of such course with the first certified payroll report for each employee; and (iv) obtains within 10 days of the notification of contract award the security by bond required under section 29 of chapter 149. For the purposes of this section, ''security by bond'' shall mean the bond of a surety company qualified to do business under the laws of the commonwealth and satisfactory to the awarding authority; provided, however, that if there is more than 1 surety company, the surety companies shall be jointly and severally liable. Sections 26 to 27D, inclusive, of said chapter 149 shall apply to any contract entered into under this section.

Source: Massachusetts General Court (malegislature.gov)URL: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIII/Chapter30BFetched: 10/20/2026