Procurement

(1) All contingency contracts executed pursuant to 815 CMR 8.00 shall be awarded based on an RFP that evidences competitive procurement, unless there is a specific written exception made by the Comptroller. (2) The Comptroller may determine that it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to make an exception to the normal RFP and competitive procurement process. In rendering this judgment, the Comptroller will rely on criteria such as: (a) the unique qualification of the proposed vendor for the contingency contract, (b) an extension or addition to work underway so that a substantial economy is accomplished. (3) All RFPs for contingency contracts must be authorized by the Office of the Comptroller. Management of the procurement process can take several forms: (a) Directly by OSC. (b) Jointly issued by OSC and one or more operating departments. (c) Directly by an operating Department which has specific written authorization from the Comptroller. (4) Each RFP process will expressly indicate in writing the evaluation criteria and the names of the members of the selection committee. When the Office of the Comptroller expressly authorizes in writing an RFP to be initiated and completed by other departments, it will specifically approve in writing the evaluation criteria and the members of the selection committee prior to RFP issuance. When the Comptroller's office is issuing the RFP under its own authority or as a member of a joint venture, such separate written approvals will not be required. (5) No contingency contract shall constitute legal obligation of the Commonwealth unless it complies with procurement requirements as established in 815 CMR 8.00. (6) In the RFP process, specific attention will be given to evaluation and selection criteria that are designed to promote participation by small business enterprises, minority business enterprises, women owned business enterprises, and business enterprises primarily located in Massachusetts. Each RFP should strive to promote reasonable and maximum participation by such enterprises.