September 1, 2021

In this late summer issue, the Local Government Enablement (LGE) Team is pleased to share information about road salt purchasing, the upcoming Municipal Cybersecurity Summit, new Statewide Contracts, energy technical assistance grants, and additional COMMBUYS bid management tools. The Statewide Contract Reference Sheet for September/October also is included.

In this Issue:
Reminders
  • Register for the Municipal Cybersecurity Summit
  • OSD's Spotlight Campaign Webinar Series Update
  • Order Road Salt for the Upcoming Winter Season
Updates
  • Statewide Contract Reference Sheet for September/October
  • New Statewide Contract Overviews
  • Municipal Energy Technical Assistance Grants Available
  • COMMBUYS Upgrade to Include New Bid Management Tools
Resources
  • Reach the OSD Help Desk
  • Links at Your Fingertips

Contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
Reminders
Register for the Municipal Cybersecurity Summit

The Massachusetts Municipal Cybersecurity Summit will be help on Thursday, October 7, 2021, as part of Massachusetts Cybersecurity Month. This event was developed by the MassCyberCenter at the MassTech Collaborative for the Commonwealth's 351 municipalities.

The Summit will bring together cybersecurity experts from state and federal organizations and the private sector to give municipalities a better understanding of current cybersecurity issues and practical ideas for improving cybersecurity.

For more information, visit www.MassCyberCenter.org.
As you may know, the Local Government Enablement Team is hosting a series of webinars in 2021 to spotlight different Operational Services Division products and services for municipal audiences. The first two webinars, focusing on Information Technology and the Trades Statewide Contracts, were well received with a combined audience of more than 360 buyers and positive post-event feedback.

We thank everyone who responded to our one-question survey to determine future topics of interest. The third 2021 Spotlight Campaign webinar is planned for late fall. Stay tuned for details.

Did you miss either of our first two Spotlight Webinars? Link to the recordings:
Order Road Salt for the Upcoming Winter Season
This is the time of year to arrange for road salt deliveries for the upcoming 2021-2022 winter season.

The VEH107 Statewide Contract offers the supply and delivery of traditional mined sodium chloride road salt, as well as pre-treated road salt, an alternative road salt treatment with liquid magnesium chloride – a product that has been estimated to reduce bulk salt usage and is more effective at lower temperatures. You may discuss these alternatives with awarded vendors. 

Interested buyers are urged to submit the required Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Estimated Usage Form. Refer questions to the Contract Manager, Ariola Molla.
Updates
Statewide Contract Reference Sheet for September/October

Review the latest Statewide Contract Reference Sheet to see the wide range of products and services offered on Statewide Contracts.

This list is updated every two months.
New Statewide Contract Overviews
FAC114 Janitorial Services, Environmentally Preferable
More staff in the office, a new school year, and continued concerns with the spread of COVID-19 have fueled interest in the new FAC114 Janitorial Services Statewide Contract. The contract's 31 vendors use only environmentally preferable cleaning products, associated with reduced allergies and sensitivities and improved indoor air quality.

GRO39 Drinking Water - General and Emergency Services
Among the benefits offered through the GRO39 contract are: Users pay NO cooler rental fees for standard coolers or bottle deposits; Water filtration cooler services include everything needed to properly service the system; Installation of reverse osmosis water systems is available at no cost - the only cost to users is the monthly fee.

ITS78 Data and Cybersecurity
In today's environment, it is essential to have plans and protections in place to secure an organization's data and IT infrastructure. The ITS78 Data and Cybersecurity contract provides a selection of experienced and qualified vendors to address all facets of cybersecurity, including baseline assessments, planning, solutions implementation, and breach remediation. Find related articles in our recent issue of Buy the Way. Find purchasing guidance in the ITS78 Contract User Guide.

PRF75 Foreign Language Interpretation and Translation Services
PRF75 offers 40 vendors, supporting 340 languages, to provide services such as: Quality translation of business correspondence written in languages other than English or translation from English to other languages; Interpreter services to facilitate parent/teacher discussions; Interpreters, conversant in medical lingo, to assist with doctor/patient conversations; Language support so you may outreach to your diverse constituencies.
Municipal Energy Technical Assistance Grants Available
The Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division is accepting applications for a new round of Municipal Energy Technical Assistance (META) grants.

These grants are for independent third parties who help municipalities, regional school districts, and water/wastewater districts negotiate, develop, and manage energy projects, or who perform studies to support the development of such projects. The 2021 round of META grants is available to all Massachusetts municipalities, regardless of Green Community designation status.

The application deadline is September 24, 2021. Refer to the Program Opportunity Notice in COMMBUYS.

Consider PRF62 Energy Consulting and PRF69 Facilities Engineering Statewide Contract vendors as you plan your projects.
COMMBUYS Upgrade to Include New Bid Management Tools
The next quarterly COMMBUYS update is planned for implementation on September 20, 2021. It will include exciting bid management tools for buyers and vendors in addition to other planned enhancements:

  • Bid Countdown Clock for increased bid deadline awareness for vendors
  • New functionality for buyers to tag required bid documents and ensure bidders include these documents with their responses
  • Ability for buyers to specify an end date for Q&A in COMMBUYS
  • Search improvements

Check the Important Links section on the COMMBUYS home page on September 20 for release details.
Resources

Reach the OSD Help Desk
Monday - Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
888-MA-State or
Links at Your Fingertips
Local Government Enablement Team

Our team's mission is to ensure municipal organizations have familiarity and ease of access to the selection, pricing, and added benefits afforded through Statewide Contracts. Send us an email to set up a time to speak with your Local Government team member.