ITT72 Category 1 Cellular Services & Devices: This is a Statewide Contract (SWC) for Cellular Services & Devices.  This contract for Cellular Services & Devices offers cellular voice and data wireless services, and related equipment and accessories.  This contract replaces Statewide Contract ITT46 – Network Services Category 3. This contract user guide applies only to ITT72 Category 1.

For the Master Contract Record, refer to the Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) with RFR

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
• Accessing a wide range of environmentally preferable products and services

This contract includes 1 (one) category of products/service listed as follows:

Category 1: Cellular Services & Devices

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
  

• State agencies purchasing off this contract are asked to coordinate purchases with their agency Secretariat and to follow all relevant purchasing guidelines established by their respective Secretariat.

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

• Ceiling/Not-to-Exceed: The contract's published pricing, including discounts, is a maximum price or 'not-to-exceed' limit and can be subject to further negotiation.
• P.O. for one-time services: 
Once the service and price are determined, the ordering process is as follows:
• Initiate a new requisition
• Search for an item (Use ITT72) in the description
• Select the vendor you will be placing an order with
• Select the appropriate catalog line
• Enter “1” in the Quantity field and the total price in the Unit Cost field
• Attach the vendor quote and/or a detailed order summary
• Submit for approval

• P.O. for ongoing services:
If the price is estimated for ongoing services, then you may enter a PO for the full amount of the estimate, as per the instructions above, and place partial receipts as you receive billing from the vendor. In such purchase orders insert the following language in the special instructions box of the PO: “This Purchase Order represents the total estimated expenditure for this engagement (insert brief description), against which (identify department) will execute partial receipts in COMMBUYS upon receipt and approval of invoices, in order to record the work accomplished according to the agreed upon engagement terms. All estimated expenditures are subject to reconciliation based on invoices rendered for agreed-upon delivery of goods and/or services.”

Further direction is available in the “How to Complete a Partial Receipt” Job Aid

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.

• Orders placed under this contract should include the following statement: “This order is placed under Statewide Contract ITT72 Category 1.” This contract includes the following language, “The Commonwealth and the Vendor agree that any language contained or referenced in the Vendor’s bid response which conflicts with, or has the effect of deleting, replacing, or modifying any term of the ITT72 RFR (COMMBUYS Bid# BD-19-1080-OSD03-SRC01-31414) shall be interpreted as superseded by the language of the ITT72 RFR unless specifically agreed to by OSD in writing. Language contained in Vendor response documents or documents which require customer acceptance, such as click-through agreements, which imposes any obligation on customers beyond those contained in the ITT72 RFR is rejected unless specifically agreed to by OSD in writing.” Users with questions regarding terms and conditions contained in vendor documents or web pages may contact the OSD Contract Manager.
• This is a fee-for-service contract.
• Purchases made through this contract will be direct, outright purchases related to the wireless services.
• Quote Solicitation: Buyers can solicit quotes from multiple vendors (See 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 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.

• Direct Purchase of Fixed Price Items on COMMBUYS: Used for products and services with fixed pricing, viewable in vendor catalogs or price files. See 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 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.

• 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.

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 twelve (12) 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 ITT72 Category 1 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). 

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) (Jessica Ofurie or Joshua Flanagan-Lanier) 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 ITT72 Category 1 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) (Jessica Ofurie or Joshua Flanagan-Lanier) for guidance. 
• Vendors must notify buyers of product substitutions.

Buyers are encouraged to request mobile phones registered with the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). These devices offer environmental and energy-efficiency benefits while meeting recognized sustainability standards.

For devices not registered with EPEAT, compliance is required with the following specifications:

• Battery must be removable or replaceable by qualified repair service providers or authorized technicians
• Design must allow for ease of disassembly
• Replacement parts must be readily available
• Must comply with the European Union REACH Regulation and the RoHS Directive
• Must contain post-consumer recycled plastic or biobased plastic content
• Must support standardized battery charger systems
• Packaging may not include any expanded polystyrene (EPS), and buyers are encouraged to ask for packaging that contains post-consumer recycled content, minimizes plastic, and does not use elemental chlorine as a bleaching agent.

Take Back Program: All vendors under this contract are required to offer a phone take-back program to support responsible end-of-life management. Request this information directly from the vendors.

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 ITT72CAT1* 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).