FAC116: Lawns and Grounds Equipment, Parts and Services This is a Statewide Contract (SWC) for Lawns and Grounds Equipment, Parts and Services. This contract is for equipment which is intended for the maintenance and care of lawns and grounds areas as well as the parts, repair, and leasing for this equipment.  Golf carts and utility vehicles in category 5 may be used for moving people only.  This contract offers a variety of zero emission, battery powered options.  The vendors on this contract are manufacturers and local dealers who offer % discounts on equipment and published hourly service rates. Buyers are always encouraged to negotiate additional discounts.

Major differences between FAC116 and the predecessor contract FAC88 include:

• Lease is expanded into all categories instead of only for Category 5 (Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles).
• Tractors and loaders are combined into one category along with all their related equipment.
• Consolidated categories and reduced category count from 14 to 9.

For the Master Contract Record, refer to the Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) with RFR PO-21-1080-OSD03-SRC3-21990.

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

• Battery Powered Electric Lawn Equipment
• Partnering with a pool of qualified and experienced vendors
• Offering Prompt Payment Discount
• Accessing a wide range of environmentally preferable products and services
  

This contract includes 9 categories of lawn and grounds equipment as listed below:

Category 1: Agricultural Tractors, Loaders and Related Accessories

Category 2: Lawnmowers and Related Accessories

Category 3: Utility Vehicles, Golf Carts, Snowmobiles and Related Accessories

Category 4: 2 Cycle/4 Cycle Handheld Power Equipment

Category 5: Snow Blowers and Related Accessories

Category 6: Specialty Wheeled (and Towed) Power Equipment

Category 7: Utility Trailers and Related Accessories

Category 8: Commercial Grade Battery Electric Lawn Equipment

Category 9: Equipment Leasing for Categories 1-8 (Please review additional leasing terms on Appendix B)

The scope of this contract is proposed for equipment which is intended for the maintenance and care of lawns and grounds areas.  This contract is not intended for large construction equipment, which is defined as anything over 150HP. For related equipment, please see the following Statewide contracts or their subsequent replacement contracts:

1. Heavy Duty Construction Equipment – VEH111
2. Purchase of Vehicles (Cars, Trucks, some Loaders) – VEH110
3. Landscaping and Parks and Recreation Equipment – FAC122
4. Landscaping and Related Services – FAC120
5. Building and Facilities Maintenance Equipment – FAC124 & FAC123
6. Equipment Rental – FAC131
   1. Although (6 month or less) rentals are available on FAC116, eligible entities are instructed to exhaust rental options with FAC131 vendors before engaging with FAC116 vendors.
      

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
  

The pricing options are outlined as follows:

• Ceiling/Not-to-Exceed: The contract's published pricing, including discounts, is a maximum price or 'not-to-exceed' limit and may be subject to further negotiation.
• Discount from Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): Contract pricing is a specified discount off the MSRP catalog price. 
• Discount off of the Vendor Catalog Price:  Contract pricing is a specified discount off of the vendor catalog price.

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. Links to all the vendors’ Master Blanket Purchase Orders (MBPOs), where product pricing may be found, are provided in the Vendor List and Information.

Buyers must solicit quotes when using this contract. Contract users should always reference FAC116 when contacting vendors to ensure they are receiving contract pricing.  Quotes, not including construction services, should be awarded based on best value.  

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.  

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

• This contract includes leasing of equipment in Categories 1-8  
• This is a fee for service contract 

The purchase options identified below are the only acceptable options that may be used in this contract:

• Fee-for-Service contract
• Direct, outright purchases
• Term lease agreement (long-term contract with fixed periods)

This contract provides for the following methods of purchase:

• Quote Solicitation: Buyers may solicit quotes from multiple vendors. Refer to the Vendor List “Vendor List and Information”, 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. Buyers must include “FAC116 RFQ” when entering information in the Description field. 
• Refer to the How to Request Quotes from Vendors on Statewide Contracts job aid for more details.
• 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. 
  

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 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 FAC116 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.

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). 

For the leasing of products, please refer to the following requirements:

• CATEGORY 9, EQUIPMENT LEASING FOR CATEGORIES 1-8 This category is for the leasing of equipment available in Categories 1-8. Leases in this category are defined as Operating Leases where the ownership of the equipment is retained before and after the lease term by the lessor. Lease agreements are made between the Eligible Entity and the Contractor/Vendor.
• See Appendix for additional leasing requirements
• This lease is not automatically renewed, and it cannot be extended beyond its current term under the original terms.
• Lease renewals are not permitted after expiration of the original lease. However, the Eligible Entity can negotiate a new lease for one year, based on the current value of the equipment, with or without maintenance as the Eligible Entity prefers.
• Early termination of leases for convenience may incur penalty charges.
  

For shipping, delivery, and returns, please follow these guidelines:

• All equipment pricing is to include F.O.B delivery to the requested ship to address.  No request for extra delivery costs will be honored.  All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, oiled and ready for immediate use, unless otherwise requested by the purchasing department.  Liability for product delivery remains with the awarded bidder until properly delivered and signed for in accordance with the purchasing department and Commonwealth Terms & Conditions.  
• The vendor MUST provide upon delivery basic training or demonstration of equipment being delivered.   Contract users must not accept the delivery of any product that is visibly damaged. Product must be inspected upon receipt of delivery. If a product fails inspection by the receiving facility, the product must be rejected, and the vendor(s) must replace the product immediately at no additional expense to the facility
• Vendors are not allowed to request an exception for shipping charges.
  

For repairs and services warranties, please refer to these guidelines:

• The warranty for the Commonwealth shall be the manufacturer’s standard warranty starting from the date of acceptance by the Purchasing Entity.
• Equipment that is considered a “durable commodity” (a product that is intended to last for a long time) must carry a guarantee that service, service parts, and maintenance is available from the vendor for a period of at least one year from the date of equipment acceptance by the Purchasing Entity.
• All equipment must be new, in excellent working conditions, and must include the new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) equipment guarantee.
  

Vendors in this statewide contract offer the following discounts, which may vary for each vendor:

• Dock Delivery Discount: A discount if product is delivered directly to the loading dock.
• Volume Discount: A discount is provided for buyers who purchase a certain quantity of product or service.
  

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) (Sean Corbin or Tatiana Henry) 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 FAC116 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) (Sean Corbin or Tatiana Henry) 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) (Sean Corbin or Tatiana Henry) for approval. The new product or service requested must comply with the established specifications and scope of the contract.

This contract includes equipment powered by zero emission battery electric technology:

• Category 3: Utility Vehicles, Golf Carts, and Related Accessories include electric carts and utility vehicles
• Category 8: Commercial Grade Battery Electric Lawn Equipment includes mowers, blowers and other handheld equipment.

Buyers are encouraged to consult vendors on zero-emission battery options across all categories.

Supporting Guidance:

Located in the FAC116 Master Blanket Purchase Order, under “agency attachments”:

• Commercial Grade Battery Powered Landscape Equipment Specifications: Covers equipment features, battery and charger attributes, services/programs, certifications, power, construction, noise, run time, warranties, voltage, lifetime, charge time, safety, and education.
• LBE OSD Commercial Battery-Powered Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Calculator: Helps compare battery-powered options with gas-powered.

Benefits of Battery Electric Equipment:

Environmental benefits:

• Supports Commonwealth goals on climate, clean air, and toxics reduction
• Reduces carbon emissions, hazardous waste, and noise pollution
• Limits exposure of wildlife and habitats to pollutants

Health benefits:

• Lowers worker and public exposure to emissions, noise, vibrations, and particulates

Cost benefits:

• Avoids fuel costs and reduces maintenance expenses
• Enables extended work hours and holiday operation due to quieter performance
  

Learn More

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

CATEGORY 1, AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, LOADERS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes Tractors (Sub-Compact, Compact, Utility, Specialty) and Loaders (Skid Steer, Tracked, Backhoe, Crawler, Front End, Wheeled) which are intended for use in an agricultural or lawn and groundskeeping setting. This category is not intended for heavy duty construction equipment, which is defined as anything over 150HP. This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 2, LAWNMOWERS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes commercial grade lawn mowers such as Stand-on, Ride-on and Walk-Behind.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment, as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 3, UTILITY VEHICLES, GOLF CARTS, SNOWMOBILES AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes Utility Vehicles (UTV), Golf Carts, Snowmobiles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), Sprayers, Groomers, Sweepers, and other related equipment.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 4, 2 CYCLE & 4 CYCLE HANDHELD POWER EQUIPMENT AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes 2 Cycle and 4 Cycle power equipment such as Augers, Blowers/Vacuums, Brush Cutters, Chainsaws, Trimmers Pole Saw/Pruners, and other related equipment.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 5, SNOWBLOWERS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes snowblowers and other related equipment.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 6, SPECIALTY WHEELED (AND TOWED) POWER EQUIPMENT AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes specialty power equipment which is typically on wheels or wheeled and other related equipment (not trailers).  Examples of this type of equipment are: Chippers, Shredders, Stump Grinders, Sod Cutters, Aerators, Brush cutters and Rototillers. This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 7, UTILITY TRAILERS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes Utility Trailers such as Dump Trailers, Equipment Trailers, Landscape Trailers, Powersport Trailers, Side Extension Trailers, Tilting Trailers, Tandem/Double Tandem Trailers, and other related equipment.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 8, COMMERCIAL GRADE BATTERY ELECTRIC LAWN EQUIPMENT AND RELATED ACCESSORIES

This category includes Commercial Grade Battery Electric lawn equipment such as Lawnmowers, Blowers, Trimmers, Chainsaws, and other related equipment.  This category also includes the parts and service of this equipment as well as accessories.

CATEGORY 9, EQUIPMENT LEASING FOR CATEGORIES 1-8

This category is for the leasing of equipment available in Categories 1-8. Leases in this category are defined as Operating Leases where the ownership of the equipment is retained before and after the lease term by the lessor. Lease agreements are made between the Eligible Entity and the Contractor/Vendor.

Eligible entities cannot directly enter into lease agreements with third party banks or financial institutions. The Contractor/Vendor may subcontract lease and/or rental services with a bank or financial lender, however all such work will be covered under the specifications of this contract, and the prime contractor/vendor will be responsible for all work and invoicing conducted under the scope of this contract.

No credit applications: Contractors/Vendors are not permitted to impose creditworthiness criteria of any kind upon instrumentalities of the Commonwealth as a condition of issuing a term lease or rental.

Only termed leases of equipment are allowed under this contract. No outright purchase of term lease equipment is permitted at the end of the lease. It is presumed that all term leases negotiated under this RFR are temporary, and that all term leased equipment will be returned to the contractor/vendor at the end of the lease. Early buy-out or purchase options during the period of the term lease are not permitted as part of any term lease.

The complete RFR language for leasing terms and conditions can be found at this link.

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.