ENE56–Natural Gas Statewide Contract: This Statewide Contract (SWC) enables the Executive Branch and other eligible entities to purchase retail natural gas supply from NRG Business Marketing, LLC, based on their participation in the procurement. 
This contract serves approximately 360 accounts from various state agencies. These accounts use approximately 2.6 million dekatherms (Dths). The SWC is available for use by other eligible entities.

The accounts serviced through this contract are in the following utility service territories: 

• Berkshire Gas Company
• Eversource Energy (NSTAR Gas Company)
• Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts (formerly Bay State Gas, DBA Columbia Gas of Massachusetts)
• Liberty Utilities
• National Grid (comprises Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company)

For the Master the Contract Record, refer to the ENE56 Master Contract Record.
Note: This contract may be used to procure the goods or services described in this user guide at any dollar amount. Any limitations, including for procurements involving construction, are outlined in this Contract User Guide.

Benefits and Cost Savings

Statewide Contracts are an easy way to obtain benefits for your organization by: 

• Leveraging the Commonwealth’s buying power
• Simplifying the solicitation process
• Providing contracting expertise
• Enhancing vendor relationships through proactive management and oversight
• Offering competitive pricing
• Offering Prompt Payment Discounts (PPD), which is a percentage discount given to the buyer if the invoice is paid within a specified time, in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Bill Paying Policy

• Partnering with a qualified and experienced vendor (NRG Business Marketing, formerly known as Direct Energy) and consultant (ENEL-X)
• Accessing a wide range of environmentally preferable products and services
  

This Statewide Contract includes the following two (2) categories: 

Category 1: Firm Fixed Price  
Category 2: Index + Basis Price 

The following is a complete list of the types of organizations generally allowed to use the Operational Service Division’s (OSD's) Statewide Contracts (SWCs). Some SWCs may be open to additional organizations, and some are more restricted in usage.

• Cities, towns, districts, counties, and other political subdivisions
• Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches, including all departments and elected offices therein
• Independent public authorities, commissions, and quasi-public agencies
• Local public libraries, public school districts, and charter schools
• Public hospitals owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Public institutions of higher education
• Public purchasing cooperatives
• Non-profit, UFR-certified organizations that are doing business with the Commonwealth
• Other states and territories and their cities, towns, districts, counties, other political subdivisions, and public institutions of higher education without prior approval from the State Purchasing Agent 
• Other entities when designated in writing by the State Purchasing Agent
  

For ENE56, please follow these specifications:

• This is a firm fixed pricing contract.
• Effective November 1, 2025: For meter readings from November 2025 through October 2029, the fixed rate price for pre-award participants will be $8.132 per Dekatherm (Dth).

Note: For post-award pricing protocols, see Quote Response and Requirements.

Eligible Entities wishing to participate after a contract award must:

1. Contact the Category Manager (Michael Barry or Kelly Minichello).
2. Sign a Letter of Authorization (LOA) with Direct Energy and provide them with copies of three (3) months of invoices per account. 
3. If pricing is agreed upon, Eligible Entities are required to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will bind them to the contract pricing and terms established by the Operational Services Division.
4. To secure the price quoted by NRG, awarded entities must agree to the quote by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the day it is issued. This is necessary due to the rapid fluctuations in energy market pricing.
5. In the event of early termination, NRG Business Marketing LLC reserves the right to assess early termination fees against eligible entities for accounts removed prior to the contract's end date. Refer to the Request for Response (RFR) Section 4.2.12 Special Contract Termination–Liquidation of Contract Positions for more details. The RFR can be found in the ENE56 Master Contract Record under Agency Attachments.

Purchases made through this contract will be direct, outright purchases.

Executive Departments: All Executive Departments must use statewide contracts for their purchases if the goods and services they seek are available on a statewide contract.  Executive agencies must use COMMBUYS for all related statewide contract purchasing activity. For more details, view the Best Value Procurement Handbook.

Eligible Entities: All other Non-Executive Eligible Entities are encouraged to use COMMBUYS for all statewide contracts purchasing activity, however the use of COMMBUYS is not required.
This contract has the following purchasing options for post-award participants: 

• Quote Solicitation: Refer to the Quote Response and Requirements for details.
• Document Items in COMMBUYS That Have Already Been Purchased: This contract enables buyers to retroactively record a previously made contract purchase within the COMMBUYS system. This is done through a Request for Payment Authorization (RPA) Release Requisition, which also allows MOSAIC users to easily keep track of spending.

For a description on how to complete this purchase in COMMBUYS, refer to the How To Record a Contract Purchase Previously Made (RPA Release) job aid.

Note: MOSAIC and COMMBUYS do not interface. Payment request and invoice must be reported in both MOSAIC and COMMBUYS.

COMMBUYS is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' e-procurement platform, serving as a central marketplace for state agencies and other Eligible Entities to procure goods and services, connecting government buyers and businesses. It aims to streamline the purchasing process, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the procurement process.

For Executive Agencies, COMMBUYS is required. Per 801 CMR 21.00, Executive Agencies must use established Statewide Contracts (SWCs) for the purchase of products and services. To set up a COMMBUYS buyer account or to update an existing agency account, the buyers must contact the COMMBUYS Help Desk at: 888-627-8283 or OSDhelpdesk@mass.gov.

While COMMBUYS use is not mandated for Non-Executive Agencies and other Eligible Entities, it is highly recommended to streamline the procurement process and assist buyers in making informed purchasing choices. Eligible entities should follow their internal guidelines for COMMBUYS use.

Buyers can view contract documents on COMMBUYS without requiring a COMMBUYS account or logging in.  
To find contract documents in COMMBUYS, follow these steps:

1. On the COMMBUYS home page, enter ENE56 in the search tool and select Blankets from the drop-down list.
2. Select the Search icon. The related Master Blanket Purchase Orders (MBPOs) information opens in a table format. 
3. To view the associated contract documents, under the Blanket # column, select the applicable Purchase Order (PO) link. MBPO opens for the selected PO and the attachments can be found in the Agency Attachments or Vendor Attachments section. 

If applicable, to find vendor-specific documents, view the links to the individual vendor MBPOs on the Vendor Information page, and follow these steps:

1. On the Vendor Information page, select the applicable Purchase Order (PO) link. The Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) opens for the selected PO.
2. If applicable, on the MBPO, scroll down to the Vendor Attachments section to find the vendor-specific documents.
3. To view, select the desired document link.

Please refer to the following guidelines:

• Executive Departments must use diverse and small businesses to the extent possible based on contract terms, Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), and departmental policies, laws, and regulations.
• The Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) applies to small procurements ($250,000 or below annually), while the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) applies to large procurements (over $250,000 annually). Executive Departments must consider these requirements when soliciting quotes or issuing Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Operational Services Division (OSD) provides a list of SDO businesses through the Statewide Contract Index. Refer to the Programs (SDP and SBPP) tab on the index (scroll to view the tab).

• In cases where all other factors are equal, and particularly when adhering to a best value approach, the department will favor the vendor with stronger SDP commitment.
• For more information, refer to Best Value Evaluation of SDP Plan Forms: A Guide for Strategic Sourcing Teams.
• Vendor SDP commitment percentages may be found on the Vendor List table.

• If available, departments must notify at least two certified small businesses capable of providing the product or service. Bids received from SBPP-participating small businesses must be evaluated, and if one meets the department’s best value criteria, the contract must be awarded to that vendor.
• For more information, refer to Best Value Evaluation of Responses to Small Procurements: A Guide for Strategic Sourcing Teams.
• Vendor SBPP Certification status can be found on the Vendor List table.

Vendors on this contract may be required to provide products or services in cases of statewide emergencies. The 801 CMR 21.05(3) defines emergency for procurement purposes. Visit the Emergency Response Supplies, Services and Equipment Contact Information for Statewide Contracts list for emergency services related to this contract.

Vendors' performance is measured by several factors, including the following:

• Buyers provide actionable feedback on vendors for this contract to optimize performance through the Procurated platform. On the Procurated website, click "Search for a Massachusetts Vendor to Review", then search for the vendor by name and select them from the list. Once you enter your professional email address, you will be forwarded to the review screen.
• Buyers are encouraged to reach out to the Category Manager(s) (Michael Barry or Kelly Minichello) if vendors are not meeting their contractual obligations and buyers may be surveyed for vendor performance feedback.
• Vendors will be evaluated on their current performance and may be asked to work with the Commonwealth toward improvement.
• Vendors must meet all contractual requirements throughout the life of the contract, including requirements for timely and accurate report submission, to remain in good standing under the contract.
  

For general procurement guidelines and best practices, follow these recommendations:

• Buyers should inform vendors to reference Statewide Contract ENE56 on all quotes and invoices.
• No prepayment should be made for products not yet delivered or services not yet rendered.
• No sales tax should be applied to invoices.
• No fees or surcharges (including travel, fuel, delivery) should be applied to invoices.
• Special order fees must be agreed upon by both parties upfront.
• Payments for products or services provided must be paid within 45 days per Massachusetts Bill Payment Policy, or sooner if applying Prompt Payment Discount.
• Buyers are not required to sign additional agreements with vendors that conflict with the Request for Response (RFR) Terms and Conditions. Contact the Category Manager(s) (Michael Barry or Kelly Minichello) for guidance. 
• Vendors must notify buyers of product substitutions.

When placing orders with a vendor, MOSAIC users must reference the contract ID number ENE56* in the Agreement ID field in MOSAIC for encumbrances related to purchases from Statewide Contracts. Please address all inquiries regarding MOSAIC technical support and job aids by emailing the Comptroller Help Desk or by calling 617-973-2468. 

*The asterisk is required when referencing the contract in the Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System (MOSAIC).