This is a Statewide Contract (SWC) for Cloud Solutions and related services, including installation, implementation, customization, training, support, and maintenance. Cloud Solutions comprise Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). This is the first Statewide Contract to offer IaaS and PaaS. SaaS is also available under ITS75, the Software and Services Contract. Additional vendors will be added over time. ITS60 leverages the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Cloud Solutions contract, which currently has over 60 vendors that may be added to ITS60 as the Commonwealth negotiates Massachusetts terms with each vendor.

For the Master Contract Record, refer to the Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) with RFR ITS60 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 pool of qualified and experienced 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
  

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.

Vendor price files are found in the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Cloud Solutions web page.

When contacting a vendor on statewide contract, always reference ITS60 to receive contract pricing.

The pricing options are outlined as follows:

• Vendor Price File: If a vendor does not have a manufacturer listed in their awarded price file, the vendor must contact the Category Managers listed on the first page of this document to get the manufacturer added before they can sell their products on ITS60. If a vendor is not honoring their discount pricing from the price file, then the customer should contact the Category Managers.
• Ceiling/Not-to-Exceed: The contract's published pricing, including discounts, is 

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

For acquisitions that require an Open Bid (over $250,000 for operational funds/$50,000 for capital funds, unless an exception applies)–Updated 7/28/2021:

Open Market/Open Bid Request for Quotes (RFQs) are no longer required for any acquisitions.

For acquisitions that require multiple Quotes ($5,001 per year and over):

Multiple quotes are not required for maintenance/subscription renewals only, or if there is only one vendor on ITS60 that can provide the goods/services your organization seeks to acquire.

1. Agencies may contact ITS75/ITS60 Vendors if they have questions about products, versions, quantities, functionalities, security features, or other specifications.
2. Executive Departments and other Commonwealth network users must request approval from the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) to use ITS60. Submit a description of the intended purchase to EOTSS, including the specifications, functionality, number of users, and anticipated costs.
3. Once approved by EOTSS via email, COMMBUYS users must post a Request for Quote (RFQ) on COMMBUYS. Others may request quotes via email.
   • For SaaS products, quotes must be requested from three (3) vendors. Vendors may be under ITS75 and/or ITS60. All three vendors may be under ITS60.  COMMBUYS users, please note that two bids will have to be issued if requesting SaaS quotes from both contracts.
   • For IaaS and PaaS products, quotes must be requested from three (3) Vendors on ITS60, unless there are fewer than three vendors on ITS60 that can meet the organization's needs.
   • It is recommended that the RFQ includes the Commonwealth Cloud terms, modified as needed for the specific purchase. If professional services are needed, it is recommended the RFQ includes the Commonwealth Statement of Work.
4. The RFQ must require that Vendors provide quotes, license/subscription terms, and any other documents the Agency will be required to sign.
5. Select winning quote from ITS75/ITS60 Vendor using "Best Value" principles.
6. Review the Vendor documents. Modify or delete terms that conflict with Commonwealth terms or are otherwise unacceptable and return documents to ITS75/ITS60 Vendor.
7. ITS75/ITS60 Vendor addresses conflicts with the Vendor submitting the bid, or with the Vendor submitting the bid and the requesting Eligible Entity, if necessary, and submits revised documents to the Eligible Entity.
8. The Eligible Entity and the ITS75/ITS60 Vendor sign final documents. If ITS60 is used, the Eligible Entity sends the signed documents via email to EOTSS and the Category Managers (Joshua Flanagan-Lanier or Kerri Quinn).
9. Issue Purchase Order to ITS75/ITS60 Vendor, including the following statement: “All of the terms and conditions of Statewide Contract ITS60 [or ITS75, if applicable] are incorporated herein and made a part hereof.  Conflicting terms, conditions or agreements included in or attached to this form, or accepted via a click-through agreement, shall be superseded and void.”

For acquisitions that do not require an Open Bid or multiple Quotes (under $5,000 per year):

1. Agencies may contact ITS75/ITS60 Vendor if they have questions about products, versions, quantities, functionalities, security features, or other specifications.
2. Executive Departments and other Commonwealth network users must request approval from EOTSS to use ITS60. Submit a description of the intended purchase including the specifications, functionality, number of users, and anticipated costs to EOTSS.
3. Once approved by EOTSS via email, submit a quote request to the ITS60 Vendor of choice. It is recommended that the quote request includes the Commonwealth Cloud terms, modified as needed for the specific purchase. If professional services are needed, it is recommended the quote request includes the Commonwealth template Statement of Work.  

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

• Cloud Solutions may be obtained through software and technology subscription only.
• Other services may be obtained on a fee-for-service basis, either hourly rate or fixed price.

This contract provides for the following methods of purchase:

• Quote Solicitation: Buyers can solicit quotes from multiple vendors (refer to 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 can create a solicitation-enabled bid using a release requisition, converting the requisition to a bid, and then requesting quotes from eligible vendors.

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

• G2B Punchout: Buyers may purchase directly from the vendor’s eCommerce site using the Government to Business (G2B) functionality in COMMBUYS. Refer to the Vendor List and Information for G2B Punchout-enabled vendors. A COMMBUYS punchout provides the ability to purchase directly from the website of certain sellers (vendors). Buyers can “punch out” to a seller’s online shopping website to search for and choose the desired items. Once the items are selected and checked out, the system transfers these items to COMMBUYS to complete a release requisition.

See the How to Purchase from a COMMBUYS G2B Punchout job aid for more details.

• Direct Purchase of Fixed Price Items on COMMBUYS: Used for products and services with fixed pricing, viewable in vendor catalogs or price files. Refer to the Vendor List and Information for a list of eligible vendors. The buyer can submit a request for goods and services from a Statewide Contract (SWC) or a Departmental Contract. 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.

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

• Direct Purchase of Non-Fixed Price Item ($0 Line Item) on Vendor’s MBPO: Applicable to products and services may require customized quoting. Refer to the Vendor List and Information for a list of eligible vendors. The Buyer can create a Release Requisition in COMMBUYS, submit the requisition for approval in COMMBUYS, and then send the vendor a Release Purchase Order.

See the How to Make a Statewide Contract Purchase in COMMBUYS job aid for more 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, see 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.

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 ITS60 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). 

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) (Joshua Flanagan-Lanier or Kerri Quinn) 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 ITS60 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) (Joshua Flanagan-Lanier or Kerri Quinn) 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) (Joshua Flanagan-Lanier or Kerri Quinn) for approval. The new product or service requested must comply with the established specifications and scope of the contract.

Alternatives for Unavailable Items

If a product or service cannot be provided by any ITS60 or (for SaaS products only) any ITS75 vendors, and is not available through any of the Software Publisher-specific Statewide Contracts (currently ITS64 Oracle but check the ITS Contract User Guide page to see if any have been added or dropped) then the product is considered to be unavailable under Statewide Contract.  In that case, you may procure it via whatever method is required based on the scope of the purchase.   To determine the procurement method, State Agencies may consult Appendix D of the Best Value Procurement Handbook; other entities must consult their own procurement regulations.  Your procurement file must document that you requested quotes from all ITS75 (SaaS products only) and ITS60 (SaaS, IaaS, or PaaS) vendors and include their responses, if any, OR may include instead a letter or email from the Cloud Services Provider explicitly stating that the Cloud Services Provider does not allow any of the vendors on ITS75 or ITS60 to resell their products.  It is not necessary to obtain OSD's approval to conduct your own procurement or otherwise purchase software that is not available under any Statewide Contract.

Cloud services consume significant amounts of energy due to the scale and operation of data centers. Contract users are encouraged to engage vendors in discussions about environmentally preferable options. Key topics to address include:

• Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Commitments Ask whether the vendor has established formal sustainability goals or carbon reduction targets.
• Use of Renewable Energy Determine if the vendor:
  • Purchases renewable energy credits (RECs)
  • Generates renewable energy on-site (e.g., solar, wind)
  • Participates in green power programs
• Carbon Offsets Inquire whether the vendor offsets emissions through verified programs that support reforestation, methane capture, or other climate-positive initiatives.
• Sustainable Data Center Operations Confirm whether the vendor’s data centers meet recognized sustainability standards, such as:
  • LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
  • ENERGY STAR for Data Centers
  • ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems

These considerations help reduce the environmental footprint of cloud-based services and align procurement practices with broader sustainability goals.

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 ITS60* 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).

Understanding the Vendor’s Contract Terms

As noted in the Contract Summary, this contract is based on a procurement conducted by NASPO ValuePoint. The vendors’ “Master Contracts” are found on the Contractor’s tab in the NASPO ValuePoint Portfolio web page (Attachment A is the “NASPO ValePoint Master Agreement Terms and Conditions,” and Exhibits 1-3 to Attachment A are the SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS terms respectively).  Vendors have the ability to negotiate these terms; each vendor’s specific Master Agreement is found at the link above. Also included are any later amendments to the vendor’s Master Contract, including addition of new products and services and, if applicable, amendments to Attachment A and Exhibits 1-3.

• The vendors’ ITS60 contracts are created using a Participating Addendum (PA), which amends the vendors’ contracts by adding Massachusetts-specific terms to their NASPO ValuePoint contracts.  These PAs are attachments to the vendor-specific contracts on COMMBUYS.
• Identifying Vendors who offer specific products and services
• As there are only a few vendors on the contract at this time, the most comprehensive way to do this is to review the vendor information on the Contracts tab at the NASPO ValuePoint Portfolio. It is not necessary to request quotes from vendors who do not offer the products/services you are seeking.  However, you may instead use the solicitation-enabled contract on COMMBUYS to request quotes from all the vendors.