Definitions

Acquisition Method. The method of procuring a Commodity or Service, or both. Acquisitionmethods include outright purchase, license, lease-purchase, lease, rental, fee-for-service or other methods authorized by law and implemented in accordance with policies and procedures issued by ANF, OSD and CTR. Authorized Signatory. An individual authorized in writing to execute Contracts or other agreements or commitments on behalf of a Department or Contractor. Available Funding. Operating appropriations, capital appropriations, trust funds or federal grant funds which have been appropriated or authorized for the purposes of a Contract. Best Value. The result of common sense Procurement decision-making consistent with the State’s Procurement Principles, which are to balance andsupportthe achievementof: required outcomes, best quality economic value, timely performance, minimizing the burdens on administrative resources, expediting simple or routine purchases, flexibility in developing alternative Procurement and business relationships, encouraging competition, encouraging the continuing participation of quality Contractors and supporting State and Department Procurement planning and implementation. Bidder. An individual or organization proposing to enter into a Contract to provide a Commodity or Service, or both, to or for a Department or the State. Client. An individual, group of individuals, the family or other person(s) who provides support to such individuals and who is eligible for or receiving Human and Social Services. Also referred to as "consumer". Commodities. An article of trade, goods, products, supplies or information technology resources, including automated data processing and telecommunications hardware, software and systems. Commonwealth Terms and Conditions. Documents, jointly issued by ANF, OSD and CTR, that must be executed by all Contractors that enter into Contracts with the State. Consultant Contract. A Contract for consultant services pursuant to M.G.L. c. 29, § 29A. Contract. A legally enforceable agreement between a Contractor and a Department. ANF, OSD and CTR shall jointly issue Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, a Standard Contract Form and other forms or documentationthat Departments shall use to document the Procurement of Commodities or Services, or both. Contract Employee. An individual Contractor whose Contract performance was classified, prior to the Contractor's selection, as work to be performed under the direct supervision and control of the Department, and not work as an independent Contractor, pursuant to the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) SS-8 process. Contractor. An individual or organization which enters into a Contract with a Department or the State to provide Commodities or Services, or both. Department. Any Executive Office, Department, Agency, Office, Division, Board, Commission or Institution within the Executive Branchexcludingthe Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch, Constitutional Offices, Elected Offices, Public Institutions of Higher Education, the Military Division and Independent Public Authorities. Designee. A State employee who has been delegated authority in writing to act on behalf of a Department Head or other Department officer in their official capacity. Duration. The authorized total period of performance of a Contract under 801 CMR 21.00, which includes the initial duration of a Contract, either less than one fiscal year, a single fiscal year or multiple fiscal years, and any options to renew beyond the initial duration of the Contract. Environmentally Preferable Products and Services. Commodities or Services that are less detrimental to the environment and human health than competing Commodities or Services serving the same purpose. Includes Commodities or Services that minimize waste, use recycled materials, conserve energy or water, or reduce the consumption or disposal of toxic materials. Execution. The distinct, verifiable signature or symbol of an authorized signatory of a Contractor or a Department which, when affixed to a document, is legally binding. Ifthe signature is affixed through electronic means, the action of signing must be accomplished consistent with information processing standards established by CTR or by law. Executive Office for Administration and Finance (ANF). The Executive Office established by M.G.L. c. 7. Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel. The attorney, appointed by the Governor, who serves as the chief legal advisor to the Governor and who is responsible for the approval of outside legal services pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30, § 65. Human and Social Services. Services provided by a Contractor to assist, maintain or improve the personal, mental or physical well-being of Clients. This may include, but is not limited to, social, habilitative, rehabilitative, mental health, mental retardation, special education, vocational, employment and training and elder services. Independent Contractor. An individualor organization under Contract with a Department where the Contractor's work is not performed under the direct supervision and control of a Department. Office of the Attorney General. The Constitutional Office, headed by the Attorney General and established pursuant to M.G.L. c. 12. Office of the Comptroller (CTR). The Department established pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7A. Operational Services Division (OSD). The Department within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance established pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 4A to regulate and oversee the Procurement of Commodities or Services in the State. OSD includes the Division of Purchased Services established by St. 1993, c. 110, § 274, as amended. Procurement. The acquisition of Commodities or Services, or both, which may be made through an outright purchase, license, lease-purchase, lease, rental, fee-for-service or other method approved by OSD or authorized by law. Procuring Department. A Department authorized to procure Commodities or Services, or both, for the Department or on behalf of multiple Departments. OSD shall be the primaryProcuringDepartment for Statewide Contracts and may designate another Department to act as the Procuring Department for a Statewide Contract. Recycled Products. Goods containing materials which have been diverted from the solid waste stream including post-consumer materials and materials or by-products generated in industrial processes or which have been wholly or partially remanufactured. Request for Response (RFR). The mechanism used to communicate Procurement specifications and to request Responses or interest from potential Bidders. An RFR may also be referred to as a "solicitation". Response. A Response from a Bidder to a Request for Response (RFR) under a competitive Procurement. A Response shall include submissions commonly referred to as "bids", "quotes" or "proposals". Secretariat. Any Executive Office established by M.G.L. chs. 6A and 7, including any Department, Agency, Office, Division, Board, Commission or Institution within such Executive Offices. Selected Bidder. A Bidder that has been selected to negotiate a Contract with a Procuring Department. Services. The furnishing of time, labor, effort or specialized skills by a Contractor. Services shall include operational, professional, maintenance and repair, non-professional, consultantand Humanand Social Services, as well as any other services identified in policies and procedures issued by ANF, OSD and CTR. Standard Contract Form. A Contract form, jointly issued by ANF, OSD and CTR, that Departments shall use for the Procurement of Commodities or Services, or both, which incorporates by reference a Commonwealth Terms and Conditions. State. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Statewide Contract. A Contract procured on behalf of all Departments for specified Commodities or Services, or both, which may be used by any Department or other entities authorized by OSD. Suspension. The halt of Contract performance due to the lack of Available Funding, a breach of Contract, inadequate performance, an unanticipated emergency or other circumstances determined by a Department to warrant a pause in Contract performance. A suspension may continue until lifted by the Department, if the reason for the suspension has been alleviated, or Contract performance may be terminated.