AUDIOLOGY2026RFR-Final.pdf

Updated: August XX, 2021

ISSUE DATE: May 7, 2026

Purchasing Department The Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke

Address 110 Cherry Street City, State Zip Code Holyoke, Ma 01040 Procurement Contact Person Angelo Proietti Telephone Number 413-552-4787 Fax Number 413-532-0606 E-Mail Address angelo.proietti@mass.gov RFR Name/Title Audiology Services RFR 2026 RFR Number AUDIOLOGY2026RFR COMMBUYS Bid Number BD-26-1053-1053C-CSR-128458

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

Established in 1952, the Veterans Home at Holyoke (VHH), is a long-term health care facility available to eligible veterans of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The current 128 bed facility is in the process of transitioning to a new updated facility with expanding to a future census of 234-beds. The new facility will also offer adult day health services for 50 additional veterans. The new facility could be ready for occupancy as early as fall/winter 2026.

VHH’s mission is to provide the highest quality personal health care services to the Commonwealth’s veterans with dignity, honor, and respect. In line with this mission, VHH is seeking responses from qualified providers to deliver comprehensive audiology services for our Veteran residents. This request for response (RFR) invites licensed and experienced providers to submit proposals outlining their qualifications, service offerings and pricing. See below for scope of services, business specifications, fiscal terms, required forms and evaluation criteria.

2. Applicable Procurement Law

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Audiology Services RFR 2026

RFR #AUDIOLOGY2026RFR / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1053-1053C-CSR-128458

Check Appropriate

Box (“X”):

Type of Purchase Applicable Laws

Executive Branch Goods and Services

Goods and Services MGL c. 7, § 22; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801 CMR

21.00

Human and Social Services MGL c. 7, § 22, § 22N; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801

CMR 21.00; 808 CMR 1.00

Legal Services MGL c. 30, § 51, § 52 and § 65; c. 7, § 22;

and 801 CMR 21.01(2) (b)

Grants MGL c. 7A, § 7; St. 1986 c. 206, § 17; 815

CMR 2.00

3. Acquisition Method:

Check All Applicable (“X”): Category Fee-For-Service

Outright Purchase

Rental (not to exceed 6 months)

Term Lease

License

Other:

4. Whether Single or Multiple Contractors are Required for Contract:

Check One (“X”):

Single Contractor

Multiple Contractors

a. Estimated Number of Awards

The target maximum number of Contractors is ONE the Purchasing Department may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to do so.

5. Entities Eligible to Use the Resulting Contract

Check One (“X”): Eligible Entities

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Defined Entities Only. Any Contract(s) resulting from this Bid will be open for use by the issuing Purchasing Department and the following other entities:

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Issuing Entity Only.

6. Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Contract Duration Number of Options Number of

Years/Months Initial Duration

2 YEARS

Renewal Options

3 OPTIONS 1 YEAR EACH

Total Maximum Contract Duration

5 YEARS TO EXPIRE

IN 2031

7. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

The awarded bidders will be responsible for delivering comprehensive on-site audiology services through a qualified and certified Audiologist. Services to include but not limited to:

Scope of Services:

• The awarded bidder will be responsible to educate Veterans on procedures and acquire signed consent forms.

• Provide regularly scheduled on-site visits every two months and be available for phone consultations as needed.

• Respond to urgent service needs within 24 hours.

• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary care environment.

• Ensure minimal disruption to Veterans’ daily routines.

• Maintain compliance with all applicable regulations and standards.

• Routine hearing screenings and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations

• Hearing aid evaluations, fittings, dispensing, and maintenance.

• Repairs, troubleshooting, and battery replacement services.

• Cerumen (earwax) management.

• Tinnitus management and counseling

• Provide In person, on site staff education on hearing loss and communication strategies twice a year

• Family education as needed

• Coordination with nursing staff, physicians, and care teams

• Standard visit notes with recommendations submitted within 48 hours of visit.

8. Qualifications and Requirements The awarded bidder will possess the following:

• Current licensure in Massachusetts.

• Relevant certifications, Credentialed by The Veterans Home.

• Experience providing services in a long-term care setting.

• Knowledge of geriatric hearing healthcare needs (experience with Veterans is preferred).

• Compliance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HIPAA and other applicable regulations.

• Proof of liability insurance.

9. Proposal Submission Requirements Interested vendors should include the following in their submissions to this RFR:

• Comprehensive written response to all aspects of the RFR.

• Company overview and experience in long-term care settings.

• Description of services and service delivery model.

• Staffing plan and credentials of personnel.

• Availability and proposed service schedule.

• Pricing structure (See fiscal terms below for billing).

• References from similar size long-term care facilities (references from Veterans facilities preferred).

• Description of equipment provided and any space or resource requirements.

• Value-added services.

Fiscal Terms:

The awarded bidder must invoice third party insurers and not to the VHH. Insurance denials are not the responsibility and will not be billed to or paid for by VHH.

Performance Measures:

• Average time from referral to assessment

• Average wait time to see audiologist

• Number of visits annually

• Number of diagnoses managed annually.

• Percentage of veteran residents with completed assessment annually

• Percentage of veteran residents reporting benefit from hearing aids or adjustments

• Number of veterans residents prescribed hearing aides

• Number of staff training courses delivered per year

Best Value Selection and Negotiation. The Procurement Management Team or PMT (also known as Strategic Sourcing Team or SST) may select the response(s) which demonstrates the best value overall, including proposed alternatives that will achieve the procurement goals of the department. If services are not rate regulated, the PMT and a selected bidder, or a contractor, may negotiate a change in any element of contract performance or cost identified in the original RFR or the selected bidder’s or contractor’s response, which results in a more cost effective or better value.

Bidder Communication. Bidders are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee of the procuring department or any member of the PMT regarding this RFR except as specified in this RFR, and no other individual Commonwealth employee or representative is authorized to provide any information or respond to any question or inquiry concerning this RFR. Bidders may contact the contact person for this RFR in the event this RFR is incomplete, or the bidder is having trouble obtaining any required attachments electronically through COMMBUYS.

Contract Expansion. If additional funds become available during the contract duration period, the department reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation or the number of units purchased to some or all contracts executed as a result of this RFR or to execute contracts with contractors not funded in the initial selection process, subject to available funding, satisfactory contract performance, and service need.

Costs. Costs which are not specifically identified in the bidder’s response and accepted by a department as part of a contract, will not be compensated under any contract awarded pursuant to this RFR. The Commonwealth will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by bidders responding to this

RFR.

Debriefing. POS requirement only. Non-successful bidders may request a debriefing from the department that issued the RFR. Department debriefing procedures may be found in the RFR. Non-successful POS bidders aggrieved by the decision of a department must participate in a debriefing as a prerequisite to an administrative appeal.

Debriefing/Appeals: Administrative Appeals to Departments. POS requirement only. Non-successful bidders who participate in the debriefing process and remain aggrieved with the decision of the department may appeal that decision to the department head. Department appeal procedures may be found in the RFR.

Requests for a Departmental appeal must be sent to the attention of the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke, Purchasing Department, Room 046 Attention: Angelo Proietti, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 and be received within fourteen (14) calendar days of the postmark of the notice of the department head’s decision on appeal. Appeal requests must specify the specific grounds for appeal based on the evaluation criteria in this RFR.

Debriefing/Appeals: Administrative Appeals to OSD. POS requirement only. Non-successful bidders who participate in the department appeal process and remain aggrieved by the selection decision of the department may appeal the department’s decision to the Operational Services Division. The basis for an appeal to OSD is limited to the following grounds:

1. The competitive procurement conducted by the department failed to comply with applicable regulations and guidelines. These would be limited to the requirements of 801 CMR 21.00 or any successor regulations, the policies in the OSD Procurement Information Center, subsequent policies and procedures issued by OSD, and the specifications of the RFR; or

2. There was a fundamental unfairness in the procurement process. The allegation of unfairness or bias is one that is easier to allege than prove, consequently, the burden of proof rests with the bidder to provide sufficient and specific evidence in support of its claim. OSD will presume that departments conducted a fair procurement absent documentation to the contrary.

Requests for an appeal must be sent to the attention of the Operational Services Division, Legal and Compliance Office, Room 1608, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 and be received within fourteen

(14) calendar days of the postmark of the notice of the department head’s decision on appeal. Appeal requests must specify in sufficient detail the basis for the appeal. Sufficient detail requires a description of the published policy or procedure which was applied and forms the basis for the appeal and presentation of all information that supports the claim under paragraphs 1 or 2 above. OSD reserves the right to reject appeal requests based on grounds other than those stated above or those submitted without sufficient detail on the basis for the appeal.

The decision of the Operational Services Division shall be rendered, in writing, setting forth the grounds for the decision within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the appeal request. Pending appeals to the Operational Services Division shall not prohibit the department from proceeding with executing contracts.

Electronic Communication/Update of Bidder’s/Contractor’s Contact Information. It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder and awarded contractor to keep current on COMMBUYS the email address of the bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the PMT, including requests for clarification. The PMT and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective bidder’s/awarded contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective bidder’s/awarded contractor’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective bidder/awarded contractor and the PMT to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). All Bidders must agree to participate in the Commonwealth Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program for receiving payments. Additional information about EFT is available on the Comptroller’s Vendor Web site located at: https://massfinance.state.ma.us/VendorWeb/vendor.asp.

Upon notification of award, Contractors are required to enroll in EFT by completing and submitting the “Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment Form” to the SST for review, approval, and forwarding to the https://massfinance.state.ma.us/VendorWeb/vendor.asp

Office of the Comptroller, unless already enrolled in EFT. A copy of the form will be supplied to the successful bidder upon award. This form, and all information contained on this form, shall not be considered a public record and shall not be subject to public disclosure through a public records request.

Executive Order 509, Establishing Nutrition Standards for Food Purchased and Served by State Agencies. Food purchased and served by state agencies must comply with Executive Order 509, issued in January 2009. Under this Executive Order, all contracts resulting from procurements posted after July 1, 2009, that involve the purchase and provision of food must comply with nutrition guidelines established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The nutrition guidelines are available at the Department’s website: Executive Order # 509 Guidance.

Filing Requirements. Successful bidders must have electronically uploaded their Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (UFR), as required for current contractors, with the Operational Services Division to the UFR eFiling application for the most recently completed fiscal year before a contract may be executed and services begin. Other contractor qualification/risk management reporting requirements and non-filing consequences promulgated by secretariats or departments pursuant to 808 CMR 1.04(3) also may apply. In the event immediate services are required by a department, a contract may be executed and services may begin with the approval of OSD or the appropriate secretariat.

However, unless authorized by OSD or the appropriate secretariat, the contractor will not be paid for any such services rendered until the UFR has been filed.

HIPAA: Business Associate Contractual Obligations. Bidders are notified that any department meeting the definition of a Covered Entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) will include in the RFR and resulting contract sufficient language establishing the successful bidder’s contractual obligations, if any, that the department will require to comply with HIPAA and the privacy and security regulations promulgated thereunder (45 CFR Parts 160, 162, and 164) (the Privacy and Security Rules). For example, if the department determines that the successful bidder is a business associate performing functions or activities involving protected health information, as such terms are used in the Privacy and Security Rules, then the department will include in the RFR and resulting contract a sufficient description of business associate’s contractual obligations regarding the privacy and security of the protected health information, as listed in 45 CFR 164.314 and 164.504 (e), including, but not limited to, the bidder's obligation to: implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the protected health information (in whatever form it is maintained or used, including verbal communications); provide individuals access to their records; and strictly limit use and disclosure of the protected health information for only those purposes approved by the department. Further, the department reserves the right to add any requirement during the course of the contract that it determines must be included in the contract to comply with the Privacy and Security Rules. Please see other sections of the RFR for further HIPAA details, if applicable.

Minimum Quote (Bid Response) Duration. Bidders’ Quotes made in response to this Bid must remain in effect for at least 90 days from the date of quote submission.

Public Records. All responses and information submitted in response to this RFR are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., c. 66, s. 10, and to c. 4, s. 7, ss. 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes shall be disregarded.

Reasonable Accommodation. Bidders with disabilities or hardships that seek reasonable accommodation, which may include the receipt of RFR information in an alternative format, must communicate such requests in writing to the contact person. Requests for accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. A bidder requesting accommodation must submit a written statement which describes the bidder’s disability and the requested accommodation to the contact person for the RFR. The PMT reserves https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-509-establishing-nutrition-standards-for-food-purchased-and-served-by-state-agencies the right to reject unreasonable requests.

Restriction on the Use of the Commonwealth Seal. Bidders and contractors are not allowed to display the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Seal in their bid package or subsequent marketing materials if they are awarded a contract, because use of the coat of arms and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth for advertising or commercial purposes is prohibited by law.

Subcontracting Policies. Prior approval of the department is required for any subcontracted service of the contract. Contractors are responsible for the satisfactory performance and adequate oversight of their subcontractors. Human and social service subcontractors also are required to meet the same state and federal financial and program reporting requirements and are held to the same reimbursable cost standards as contractors.

Workplace Violence Prevention and Crisis Response Plan. 101 CMR 19.00, Workplace Violence Prevention and Crisis Response Plan, governs the procedures and criteria for workplace violence prevention and response plans for programs that provide direct services to clients that are operated, licensed, certified, or funded by a department, commission, office, board, division, institution, or other entity within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services under M.G.L. c. 6A § 16. Any direct service program that contracts with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) or the constituent agencies of EOHHS must comply with 101 CMR 19.00, including having a plan that meets the criteria set forth in 101 CMR 19.04, which is updated annually, available electronically, and provided to any human service worker upon request. The regulations and response plan guidelines are available at the following web site:

https://www.mass.gov/regulations/101-CMR-1900-workplace-violence-prevention-and-crisis-response-plan-0.

10. Small Business Purchasing Program

Program Background

The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 599to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

SBPP Award Preference

While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SSST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

https://www.mass.gov/regulations/101-CMR-1900-workplace-violence-prevention-and-crisis-response-plan-0 https://www.mass.gov/regulations/101-CMR-1900-workplace-violence-prevention-and-crisis-response-plan-0 https://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-599-reaffirming-programs-to-ensure-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-for-diverse-and-small-massachusetts-businesses-in-state-procurement-and-contracting https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-599-reaffirming-programs-to-ensure-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-for-diverse-and-small-massachusetts-businesses-in-state-procurement-and-contracting

SBPP Participation Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP-registered business in COMMBUYS:

1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

2. Been in business for at least one year;

3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

https://www.commbuys.com/bso/

SBPP Compliance Requirements

It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP Webpage.

Program Resources and Assistance

Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

11. Environmentally Preferable Products

Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consistent with 801 CMR 21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

12. Evaluation Criteria

Contractors must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFR. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria. Additional information may be requested for evaluation purposes.

• Comprehensive response to all aspects of the RFR.

• Experience with geriatric, long-term care and Veteran populations.

• Quality and comprehensiveness of services.

• Ability to provide reliable on-site care

• Cost structure and billing transparency

• References and past performance http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp mailto:sbpp@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759

13. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR. Responses must be sent via the “Create Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Appendix B.

Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFR will be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission.

14. Estimated Procurement Calendar

Procurement Activity Date Time

Bid Release Date May 7, 2026 5 PM

Deadline for Submission of Questions through COMMBUYS “Bid Q&A”

May 22, 2026 5 PM

Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated)

May 23, 2026 5 PM

Deadline for Quotes/Bid Responses (“Bid Opening Date/Time” in COMMBUYS)

May 29,2026 5 PM

Notification of Apparent Successful Bidder(s) (Estimated)

June 1,2026

Estimated Contract Start Date July 1,2026

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

a. Online Questions (Bid Q&A)

Written Questions must be entered using the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the “Online Questions Due” date and time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above). The issuing department reserves the right to not respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions.

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Written Responses to Questions will be released on or about the “Responses to Questions Posted Online” date indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

(Written questions and responses must be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab for this Bid in COMMBUYS and not to the purchasing agent)

Questions submitted directly to the purchasing agent will be directed to post their questions to the Commbuys bid package “Q&A Tab”

b. Bid Amendment Deadline

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to make amendments to the Bid after initial publication.

It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for amendments, addenda, or modifications to this Bid, and any Bid Q&A records related to this Bid. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth accept no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit a Quote based on an out-of-date Bid or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

c. Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening Date/Time)

See the Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening) Date and Time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

d. Estimated Contract Start Date

This is the approximate start date. The actual start date will be the Contract Effective Date which is the date the Contract is executed by the parties.

15. Required Forms

Responses to this RFR must contain the following documents: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS NOT BIDDER

GENERATED CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE ATTACHMENT TAB OF BID PACKAGE.

Check if applicable (“X”)

Form/Document Notes/Instructions (If any)

X Comprehensive written response to all aspects of the RFR to include:

Company overview and experience in long-term care settings.

Description of services and service delivery model.

Staffing plan and credentials of personnel.

Availability and proposed service schedule. Description of equipment provided and any space or resource requirements.

Value-added services.

Electronic Submission

This document will be generated by bidders

X Commonwealth Terms and Conditions For vendor reference-does not need to be submitted with response

X

Standard Contract Form and Instructions For vendor reference-does not need to be submitted with response

X Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Electronic submission

X Prompt Payment Discount Form Electronic submission

X Business Reference Form Electronic Submission

The above attachments are available as part of the Bid record on COMMBUYS

(WWW.COMMBUYS.COM).

http://www.commbuys.com/

16. RFR Attachments

Appendix A: Required Specifications https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services

Appendix B: Electronic Quote Submission Instructions https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids

Appendix: RFR – Other Specifications

17. Acceptable Forms of Signature Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways: 1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper); 2.

Electronic signature that is either: a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or Page 2 b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature 3.

Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids