FAC115 Security Services, Private Investigative Services, and Fence Rental: This is a Statewide Contract (SWC) for the supply and delivery of security services, private investigative services, and fence rental. Historically, services have been available through a network of authorized dealers representing multiple providers. Due to the changing landscape of security services and agency expectations, this contract will also focus on the training standards and development of personnel by the vendors as well as continuous training and development throughout the life of the contract. 

These services can be purchased for either long-term or short-term assignments. Agencies ordering services under this contract will individually define their own scope of work in collaboration with the vendor.  

Upon assignment in Category 1 (Security Services), the vendor must furnish all necessary labor, vehicles, supervision, field office, uniforms, materials, and related equipment (including cell phones, laptops, tablets, GPS devices, two-way radios, and so forth) to satisfactorily perform required security services. 

For Category 2 (Private Investigative Services) assignments, the vendor is required to provide all necessary labor, vehicles, and equipment, including surveillance equipment, and to supply any additional items requested by the agency or user as specified in the Statement of Work. 

Fence rentals can be acquired through this contract by utilizing a subcontractor. Pricing for the rentals will be determined through quotes. Rentals cannot exceed six (6) months. 

This contract contains: 

• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) 
• Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) 
• Women Business Enterprise (WBE) 

This contract requires: 

• Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) 
• Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) background checks

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. 

For the Master Contract Record, refer to the FAC115 Master Contract Record.

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 pool of qualified and experienced vendors
• Providing holiday and weekend services for Categories 1 and 2 
• Accessing a wide range of environmentally preferable products and services  

This contract includes three (3) categories listed as follows: 

• Category 1: Security Services 
  • Basic guard, armed guard, supervisor, patrol car, special events, and wanding
• Category 2: Private Investigative Services (PI Services) 
  • Detective, private investigative services, and undercover agent 
• Category 3: Fence Rental 
  • Fence rentals (contracts not to exceed 6 months).

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
  

Note: The price files and vendor catalogs are accessible through public view in COMMBUYS; therefore, buyers may access the price files and vendor catalogs without signing into a COMMBUYS account. 

This contract offers a maximum price, also known as the “ceiling” or “not-to-exceed” price. This established maximum may be subject to further negotiation of discounts and other contract pricing.  

Product pricing may be found on the vendor information page, where links to all the vendors’ MBPOs are provided. 

Buyers should refer to the following when soliciting quotes from awarded vendors: 

• For purchases of $10,000 and above, Buyers are required to solicit quotations from all eligible vendors and obtain a minimum of three (3) responses. This ensures a competitive bidding process and helps the Buyer find the best possible value for their purchase. A “no bid” response is considered an acceptable response. 
• For purchases under $10,000, soliciting quotes is at the discretion of the Buyer. However, before making a purchase, Buyers should consult with their Chief Purchasing Officer or equivalent authority.   

This is a fee-for-service contract. FAC115 provides multiple methods of purchase: 

• Quote Solicitation: Buyers may solicit quotes from multiple vendors (refer to the Vendor MBPO Listing), award vendors, and place orders through COMMBUYS. A solicitation-enabled contract allows the buyer to solicit quotes from vendors who have Master Blanket Purchase Orders (MBPOs) or Statewide Contracts in COMMBUYS. The buyers may create a solicitation-enabled bid using a release requisition, converting the requisition to a bid, and then requesting quotes from eligible vendors. 

Refer to the How to Request Quotes from Vendors on Statewide Contracts job aid for more details. 

• Direct Purchase of Fixed Price Items on COMMBUYS: Used for products and services with fixed pricing and is viewable in vendor catalogs or price files. Refer to the Vendor MBPO Listing) for a list of eligible vendors. The buyer can submit a request for goods and services from a Statewide Contract (SWC) or a Designated SWC. This option is for users with Basic Purchaser or Department Access privileges in COMMBUYS. Once the requisition is approved, a Purchase Order (PO) is generated and can be sent to the vendor. Requisitions are documents used to request goods and services. A requisition is the first document used to generate a PO. 

Refer to the How to Make a Statewide Contract Purchase in COMMBUYS job aid for more details.  

Performance and Payment That Goes Beyond Contract End Date

The extend beyond period is in place to allow performance and payment obligations under a contract to continue after the contract term has ended. This period is primarily used to aid the transition between an expiring contract and its replacement and to ensure the continuity in service delivery.

For extend beyond, the following stipulations are in place:

• Buyers may not enter into a written agreement that will go more than three (3) months beyond the maximum end date of the contract. Existing services may be completed and payments made during this period.
• No new agreements, including leases, rentals, or service contracts, may be made after the contract's expiration.
• Agreements established prior to the Master Agreement expiration may allow performance and payment obligations to continue until the maximum Extend Beyond date.
  

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 FAC115 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.

The buyers must complete a detailed SOW when soliciting quotes. A Statement of Work template is available in COMMBUYS in the Agency Attachments section of the FAC115 Master Contract Record. 

The following are examples of information to include in the SOW (your agency may require more details):  

• Scope of services
• Deliverables dates
• Location of service
• Detailed budget
• Estimated total costs 
• Number of staff
• Rate(s) per hour

The Massachusetts prevailing wage laws require that covered employees on public works projects be paid a minimum hourly rate set by the Department of Labor Standards (DLS). The prevailing wage laws apply to both union and non-union employers and employees. The buyer has a legal obligation to request a prevailing wage schedule from the Department of Labor Standards (DLS). To get the proper rates for your region/job, you must request a determination. Questions regarding the Prevailing Wage Law may be answered by accessing the DLS website or by calling the DLS Prevailing Wage Program at 617-626-6953.

If prevailing wage is required, make sure to include this information in your quotes or bids so vendors know to include prevailing wage.

In addition, all contracts by a state agency or state-assisted contracts for design, construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair must contain Workforce Participation Goals for minorities and women. This is required by G.L. c. 149, § 44A(2)(G). A “state-assisted contract” is a construction project undertaken by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth or two or more subdivisions thereof for planning, acquisition, design, construction, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance whose costs are paid for, reimbursed, grant funded, or otherwise supported, in whole or in part, by the Commonwealth. An affected awarding authority’s bid documents must include a reference to the specific goals that will be contained in the contract. The contract must also include the processes and procedures to ensure compliance with the Workforce Participation Goals, including reporting and enforcement provisions. For questions about the Workforce Participation Goals law, please email the Attorney General’s Office Bid Unit. 

The Office of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing the prevailing wage laws. Review Prevailing Wage Enforcement for more information.

Buyers should always refer to a vendor’s Bidder Response Form (located in their COMMBUYS file) for their mark-up over prevailing wage and materials as well as a vendor’s charge for emergency services, holidays, and non-business hours.

Labor Hours

Business Hours (excluding holidays) are defined as Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Non-Business Hours are defined as periods outside of Business Hours.

Note: Many state facilities operate continuously (24/7).

Apprentice Labor Rates

Bidders may only include apprentice labor rates if they are participating in the Commonwealth's Approved Apprentice Program and can provide the required documentation. Refer to Information for apprentices to learn more.

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.

The awarded vendor’s use of subcontractors is subject to the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Terms and Conditions and Standard Contract Form, as well as other applicable terms of this Statewide Contract (SWC). 

A Volume Discount is provided to the buyer if a certain volume of product or service is purchased.

Note: Vendor discounts are detailed in the Vendor List table and the price files within each vendor's Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) or Master Contract Record MBPO.

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) (Tatiana Henry or Sean Corbin) 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 FAC115 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) (Tatiana Henry or Sean Corbin) for guidance. 
• Vendors must notify buyers of product substitutions.

To add a product or service to the list of eligible products or services sold under this contract, buyers must contact their Category Manager(s) (Tatiana Henry or Sean Corbin) for approval. The new product or service requested must comply with the established specifications and scope of the contract.

Learn More

Explore the Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Program and discover detailed guidance in the EPP Products and Services Guide.

When placing orders with a vendor, MOSAIC users must reference the contract ID number FAC115* 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).

Please refer to the price list for each vendor on FAC115 to verify the counties they service. All price sheets are housed in the vendor file or the vendor’s Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO). The counties they service should be included in the top row of each price column. 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been divided into fourteen counties that include specific counties as indicated in the Map of Massachusetts Counties in the Massachusetts Maps web page and the following list:

See the Vendor List and Information for regions covered.

Truck Safety Standards

The RMV enacted new regulations (540 CMR 4.10 to 4.13) that apply to certain registered motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, and semi-trailer units classified as Class 3 or above by the Federal Highway Administration, with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of 10,001 pounds or more (“Heavy Vehicles”). Heavy Vehicles that are (1) leased or purchased by the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2023, or (2) operated under contracts with the Commonwealth executed on or after January 1, 2025, that require the use of Heavy Vehicles in writing or by necessary implication, must be equipped with the following truck safety devices:

• Lateral protective devices (LPD), commonly called “Side Guards”
• Convex mirrors
• Crossover mirrors
• Back-up cameras

For snow and ice management and removal services and towing services, these regulations apply to Heavy Vehicles operated under contracts with the Commonwealth that were executed on or after July 1, 2025. Heavy Vehicles affected by the RMV regulations must be certified as compliant with these requirements beginning December 31, 2025 using the RMV portal. Please refer to MassDOT’s Truck Safety Devices for information about updates on truck safety devices, the certification and waiver process, and guidance for vendors. Further guidance will soon be available on the Operational Services Division (OSD) website.