REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Training for CPR, First Aid, AED Use

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

ISSUE DATE: December 2, 2025 Purchasing Department Department of Early Education and Care

(EEC)

Address 50 Milk St, 14th FL City, State Zip Code Boston MA 02109 Procurement Contact Person Meaghan Blanton; Bernadette Astacio E-Mail Address EEC.Procurement@mass.gov RFR Name/Title Training for CPR, First Aid, and AED Use RFR Number COMMBUYS Bid Number

SRF 260087

BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

EEC seeks one or more vendors to provide in-person CPR/First Aid training (including the use of AED machines) to EEC staff, across our regions in Massachusetts. These trainings are responsive to staff feedback and align with EEC’s mission to serve the Commonwealth’s youngest learners.

EEC aims to host a CPR/First Aid/AED device in-person training between January 2026 and June 30, 2026 at each of the following EEC office locations: Quincy, Boston, and Worcester. Across the three (3) locations, EEC estimates up to one hundred and forty (140) staff members may participate between January 2026 and June 30, 2026.

In future fiscal years, we may offer additional trainings in Springfield and Taunton.

EEC releases this RFR with the intent to either: award one contract to one vendor that can serve all of the geographic locations indicated above, or award contracts to multiple vendors to serve each of these geographic locations. EEC reserves the right to award a single or multiple contracts to best serve the needs of the agency and the Commonwealth.

2. Procuring Department Background Information

EEC provides and coordinates a range of services and assistance to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of early education and care in the Commonwealth. To that end, Massachusetts uses a mixed delivery system which includes child care centers, afterschool and out-of-school time (ASOST) programs, family child care homes, public preschool programs, private schools, preschools, kindergartens, and Head Start programs. EEC is responsible for licensing early education and care and ASOST programs; awarding financial assistance for child care services to qualified families; providing information and referral services; ensuring inclusive programming for students with special needs;

providing parenting support for all families; and offering professional development opportunities for

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169 staff in the early education and care and ASOST fields. These efforts affect thousands of early education educators and ASOST educators who serve more than 275,000 children each day.

3. Applicable Procurement Law

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

4. Acquisition Method:

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

Outright Purchase

Rental (not to exceed 6 months)

Term Lease

License

Other:

5. 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 (1) to five (5); the Purchasing Department may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to do so and depending on the geographic reach of the vendors that apply.

b. Adding Contractors after initial Contract Award

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

If, over the life of the contract, the Purchasing Department determines that additional Contractors may be added, these may be drawn from qualified companies that responded to this Solicitation and were not initially awarded Contracts. If necessary to meet the requirements of the Commonwealth, the Solicitation may be reopened to obtain additional Bids.

6. Calendar Rule Type

Check One (“X”) Type Description Standard Procurement will not be reopened after the Bid Opening

Date (Response deadline date) Open Procurement may be reopened annually or at any time and for a duration deemed necessary by the Department Rolling Bidders may submit unsolicited proposals during the entire contract period

7. 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:

Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Department/Board of Higher Education (BHE) Executive Office of Education (EOE)

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

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

Contract Duration

Number of Options Number of Years/Months Instructions

Initial Duration

Up to six (6) months From the execution date through June 30, 2026

Renewal Options

Two (2) Two (2) options to renew, for two

(2) years each

With two (2) options to renew for two (2) years each, from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2030.

Total Maximum Contract Duration

Four (4) years and six (6) months [4.5 years]

From the execution date through June 30, 2030

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

9. Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation:

Estimated Value of Procurement: Up to $20,000 for “Initial Duration”

$80,000 estimated additional value (cumulative) for “Renewal Options,” subject to service need and appropriation.

Total Estimated Value of Procurement for Maximum Contract Duration: Up to $100,000 cumulative total, subject to appropriation.

Note: EEC reserves the right to increase or decrease the maximum obligation to the selected vendors, or to execute contracts with vendors not funded in the initial selection process, subject to available funding, satisfactory contract performance, and service or commodity need. EEC also reserves the right, if additional funding becomes available, to add required services, increase the existing scope of services, and/or extend existing services.

10. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

10.1 Scope of Services:

Services:

EEC would like to arrange onsite CPR/First Aid/AED device training for an estimated one hundred and forty (140) employees at our regional offices in Worcester, Quincy and Boston. The vendor should be able to provide facilitators, all training materials and resources, and take accurate attendance for our reporting purposes. EEC anticipates six (6) to ten (10) classes, training fifteen (15) to twenty five (25) staff members each but remains open to considering other class sizes if that doesn’t align with the vendor’s training approach. All bidders should submit their comprehensive training approach, including training modalities, class sizes, and technology and facilities requirements to meet our initial training needs (three [3] geographic locations, and approximately one hundred and forty [140] participants).

Delivery:

Bidders must be able to deliver the following services and meet the following standards throughout the contract duration:

Deliver in-person CPR/First Aid/AED training to at least one (1) of the following geographic areas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, noting in your bid response to which location(s) your organization can facilitate training: Boston, Worcester and Quincy.

o EEC will provide the location/venue for training.

o Trainings will be delivered between January 2026 and June 30, 2026, and will occur between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST.

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169 o EEC is willing to host multiple training sessions at our regional offices, depending on the vendor’s ‘facilitator-to-participant' ratio. We estimate the following number of participants in each location:

Up to sixty (60) participants in Boston Up to thirty-seven (37) participants in Worcester Up to forty-three (43) participants in Quincy o Vendor should provide all facilitators and training materials, including printouts or written resources trainees will use during the training or possess after the training.

o Vendor will collaborate with EEC to track attendance and provide invoices that meet our reporting needs (which require us to document participation of union and non-union staff members).

o Vendor will assign a key point of contact for coordinating services with EEC.

Implement a high-quality training curriculum – with proven past success – so three (3) primary learning objectives are met: participants leave the session able to successfully perform CPR, render First Aid, and effectively utilize an AED device.

Evaluate and document learning outcomes of trainees, to ensure learning objectives are met.

Collaborate with EEC in a responsive manner to schedule training dates well in advance of implementation.

10.2 Performance Measures

Training participants leave each session able to successfully perform CPR, render First Aid, and effectively utilize an AED device. Selected vendors will communicate outcome data to EEC, after successful implementation of the training. This will prepare all EEC employees to ensure the safety of colleagues during work. For some positions in EEC, this will also ensure the safety of the general public during occasional visits to early childhood programs licensed by EEC.

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

10.3 Fiscal Terms:

Payment and Fiscal Reporting Requirements

Vendors that eventually become contracted will be paid based on deliverables (training sessions successfully scheduled in conjunction with EEC, and successfully delivered by vendor) utilizing the Commonwealth’s accounting system, Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System (MMARS). EEC follows the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Office of the Comptroller Bill Payments Policy, which can be found at the following link (visit the link and find “Payments”, then “Bill Payments”): https://www.macomptroller.org/policies/

Costs

Costs which are not specifically identified in the bidder’s response, and accepted by EEC as part of the 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.

Performance and Payment Timeframes Which Continue Beyond Duration of the Contract

All term leases, rentals, maintenance, or other agreements for services entered into during the duration of this contract and whose performance and payment timeframes extend beyond the duration of this contract shall remain in effect for performance and payment purposes no longer than twelve (12) months after the final contract end date. No new leases, rentals, maintenance, or other agreements for services may be executed after the contract has expired. Any contract termination or suspension pursuant to this section shall not automatically terminate any leases, rentals, maintenance, or other agreements for services already in place unless the department also terminates said leases, rentals, maintenance, or other agreements for service, which were executed pursuant to the main contract.

Commonwealth Tax Exemption

Invoices submitted to Massachusetts government entities must not include sales tax (ST-2 will be provided to all awarded vendors).

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

All bidders responding to this RFR must agree to participate in the Commonwealth Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program for receiving payments, unless the bidder can provide compelling proof that it would be unduly burdensome. EFT is a benefit to both contractors and the Commonwealth because it ensures fast, safe and reliable payment directly to contractors and saves both parties the cost of processing checks. Contractors are able to track and verify payments made electronically through the Comptroller’s Vendor Web system. The EFT application can be provided upon request. Additional https://www.macomptroller.org/policies/

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169 information about EFT is available on the VendorWeb site (www.mass.gov/osc). Click on “Resources for Vendors to the Commonwealth.”

Successful bidders, upon notification of contract award, will be required to enroll in EFT as a contract requirement by completing and submitting the Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment Form to this department for review, approval and forwarding to the Office of the Comptroller. If the bidder is already enrolled in the program, it may so indicate in its response. Because the Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment Form contains banking information, 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.

The requirement to use EFT may be waived by the Procurement Management Team (PMT) on a case-by-case basis if participation in the program would be unduly burdensome on the bidder. If a bidder is claiming that this requirement is a hardship or unduly burdensome, the specific reason must be documented in its response. The PMT will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis and communicate the findings with the bidder.

Prompt Payment Discounts (PPD)

All bidders responding to this procurement must agree to offer discounts through participation in the Commonwealth Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) initiative for receiving early and/or on-time payments, unless the bidder can provide compelling proof that it would be unduly burdensome. PPD benefits both contractors and the Commonwealth. Contractors benefit by increased, usable cash flow as a result of fast and efficient payments for commodities or services rendered. Participation in the EFT initiative further maximizes the benefits with payments directed to designated accounts, thus eliminating the impact of check clearance policies and traditional mail lead time or delays. The Commonwealth benefits because contractors reduce the cost of products and services through the applied discount. Payments that are processed electronically can be tracked and verified through the Comptroller’s Vendor Web system. The PPD form can be found as an attachment for this Bid on COMMBUYS.

Bidders must submit agreeable terms for Prompt Payment Discount using the PPD form within their proposal, unless otherwise specified by the PMT. The PMT will review, negotiate or reject the offering as deemed in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

The requirement to use PPD offerings may be waived by the PMT on a case-by-case basis if participation in the program would be unduly burdensome on the bidder. If a bidder is claiming that this requirement is a hardship or unduly burdensome, the specific reason must be documented in or attached to the PPD form.

https://www.mass.gov/osc

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

10.4 Other Terms

Continued Qualification Based on Performance

EEC reserves the right to disqualify a vendor if the vendor has a history of poor performance or has not fulfilled their obligations under a previous contract with EEC. EEC’s determination of poor performance shall be made at its sole discretion and shall be final and binding. In the event of disqualification, EEC shall have the right to terminate the contract with the vendor and to seek remedies for any damages incurred. EEC shall be entitled to retain and use any product(s) produced by the vendor to that point.

Reporting

Contractors are responsible for compliance with all contract reporting requirements including, but not limited to, Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) and other contract reports, as required by contracts awarded through this list.

Security and Confidentiality

Awarded vendors shall comply fully with all security procedures of the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Agencies in performance of the Contract. Vendors shall not divulge to third parties confidential information obtained by the Vendor or its agents, distributors, resellers, subcontractors, officers, or employees in the course of performing Contract work, including, but not limited to, security procedures, business operations information, personally identifiable information, or commercial proprietary information in the possession of the Commonwealth Agency.

Change Notification

Changes to the Vendor’s contact information, company name, legal address, payment address, tax identification number, authorized signatories, SDO-certification status, or EFT information must be reported promptly via email to the Commonwealth Contract Manager. In some cases, additional paperwork will be required to affect the change.

Failure to Perform Contractual Obligations

Failure to perform contractual obligations or meet the stated goals of this RFR may result in the following:

Termination Suspension Adding additional contractors Cover/Replacement Costs Liquidated Damages

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

11. Submission Requirements

11.1 Bidder’s Response Form

Vendors should download the Bidder’s Response Form, complete it, and submit it with their quote (vendors will also submit their pricing sheet). Through the Bidder’s Response Form, vendor will respond to the following questions.

1. Vendors will be asked to provide the following introductory information:

a. Legal company name

b. Legal company address

c. Legal tax ID

d. COMMBUYS vendor ID

e. Bid response contact person first and last name

f. Bid response contact person phone number and email address

g. Office location

h. Company overview

2. Confirm that your vendor organization can provide in-person training on the following topics within one training module/session (check all that apply):

o CPR training o First aid training o Use of an AED machine training

3. Indicate to which geographic region(s) your organization can deliver in-person CPR/First Aid/AED training (check all that apply):

- Boston (50 Milk Street, Boston MA)

- Quincy (500 Victory Road, Quincy MA)

- Worcester (324-R Clark St, Worcester MA)

4. For future planning purposes, please indicate if your organization can deliver in-person CPR/First Aid/AED training at any of the following locations (check all that apply). As of now, EEC is not planning for sessions at these locations yet:

- Springfield (1441 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103)

- Taunton (1 Washington St, Taunton, MA 02780)

5. In three or four (3-4) paragraphs maximum, detail your organization’s:

o Number of years of experience delivering CPR/First Aid/AED training o Background of potential facilitators (their number of years of experience) o The proven success of your training curriculum to meet the learning objectives in this

RFR, including any data collected that demonstrated prior success. (as an appendix, vendors can upload examples of their curriculum)

6. In five (5) paragraphs maximum, detail your proposed approach to implementing the CPR/First Aid/AED trainings referenced in this RFR, including:

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169 o The proposed facilitator-to-trainee ratio, how many training sessions you will hold per geographic location (Boston, Quincy, and/or Worcester), and how this set up is effective.

o The proposed format (number of training hours per session, materials disseminated to trainees) (vendors can attach a sample agenda, if desired) o Methods for measuring trainee learning to ensure learning objectives are met

7. In three (3) paragraphs maximum (or via a list), please detail the technology and facilities requirements that EEC must fulfill in order to host your organization to provide the services described in this RFR.

8. In four (4) paragraphs maximum, please detail your organization’s procedures for accurately tracking individual attendance. Vendors will be asked to bill EEC union and EEC non-union staff participation on separate invoices to EEC. Please tell us how you will account for this requirement in your invoicing process.

9. Please detail any scheduling limitations your organization has between January 2026 and June 30, 2026.

10. Please name a point of contact – with contact information – for coordinating services with EEC, most notably scheduling and logistics.

11. Please name a point of contact – with contact information – for coordinating billing with EEC, in relation to the tracked attendance for each session.

12. Attach one (1) written reference letter written by an organization/entity for which your organization facilitated a CPR/First Aid/AED training within the last 48 months.

13. Pricing o Please submit a pricing sheet, preferably in Excel, that details your proposed costs for the training sessions between January 2026 – June 30, 2026. Please include all applicable direct and indirect costs (facilitators, printed materials, supplies, etc.).

In alignment to your Bidder Response Form, detail in your budget how many sessions you propose and for which office locations (Boston, Quincy, and/or Worcester). Refer to Section 9 of this RFR for the number of participants per location.

There will be no cost for facilities. At each location, EEC can provide audio visual technology for presentation purposes.

Parking considerations:

Parking lots at the EEC regional offices in Worcester and Quincy are free.

Parking garages available in the area around EEC’s office in Boston average $45 per car per day on weekdays.

o Please include a “per-trainee” cost (which incorporates all cost categories divided by the expected number of total trainees) in your budget response to allow for a comparison across vendors. Refer to Section 9 of this RFR for the number of participants per location.

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

11.2 Bidder Checklist

Check Required Submissions File Type File Name

1. RFR Bidder Checklist (see attachment, which contains this table, in COMMBUYS)

Word or PDF (Company Name)_RFR Bidder Checklist

2. Bidder’s Response Form (see attachment for template)

Word or PDF (Company Name)_Bidder Response Form

3. Pricing Sheet (bidders develop their own file, based on requirements detailed in Section 11.1)

PDF or Excel (Company Name)_Pricing Sheet

4. Reference Letters (1) (See requirement in Section 11.1)

PDF (Company Name)_Reference Letter

5. Required Forms – all are attachments in COMMBUYS, are mandatory and must be completed and submitted with response

a. Prompt Pay Discount (must offer a PPD% - 0% will not be accepted) (See Section 10.3)

b. Request for Taxpayer Identification Number & Certification (Massachusetts Substitute W-9 Form)

PDF or Single File for each form

(Company Name) _Required Forms_(Name of File)

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

12. Small Business Purchasing Program

Program Background

The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 599 to 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.

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.

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.

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 https://www.commbuys.com/bso/ http://www.mass.gov/sbpp

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

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.

13. 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.

Minimum Evaluation Criteria:

Vendors must select that they can provide in-person training on all three (3) of the following topics: CPR, First Aid, Use of an AED machine. If a vendor cannot select all three (3), the vendor’s bid response will be scored “non-responsive”, and the vendor will be disqualified from consideration.

Comparative Evaluation Criteria:

Please see the scorecard attached to this bid for full description of the evaluation criteria.

Evaluation Criteria Summary Raw Score Maximum

Max Percentage of Overall Score

Ability to deliver services in Boston, Quincy, and/or Worcester 10 10% Ability to deliver services in additional locations 10 10% Experience and high-quality curriculum 10 10% Proposed approach 10 10% Acceptable technology and facility requirements 10 10% Effective procedures for tracking attendance and corresponding billing

10 10%

Ample availability 10 10% Contact persons for logistics and billing 10 10% Written reference letter 10 10% Pricing 10 10% Total 100 100% http://www.mass.gov/sbpp mailto:sbpp@mass.gov

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

14. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

14.1 Submission Requirements through COMMBUYS

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 C.

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.

14.2 COMMBUYS Support

Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys to access COMMBUYS resources, including new bid postings, job aids, and training schedules for buyers, among others.

Email: Send inquiries to the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov Telephone: Call the OSD Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday Eastern Time, except on federal and state holidays.

http://www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys mailto:OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

15. Estimated Procurement Calendar

Procurement Activity Date and Time

Bid Release Date December 2, 2025

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

December 8, 2025, 3:00PM EST

Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated) December 10, 2025

Bid Amendment Deadline. Bid documents will not be amended after this date.

December 12, 2025

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

December 19, 2025, 3:00 PM EST

Notification of Apparent Successful Bidder(s) (Estimated)

January 9, 2026

Estimated Contract Start Date January 20, 2026

If there is a conflict between the dates in this Procurement Calendar and dates in the Bid’s Header on COMMBUYS, the dates in the Bid’s Header on COMMBUYS shall prevail. Bidders are responsible for checking the Bid record, including Bid Q&A, on COMMBUYS for Procurement Calendar updates.

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

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 “Deadline for Submission of Questions through COMMBUYS “Bid Q&A” 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 “Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated)” date indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

(Written questions and responses will be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab for this Bid in COMMBUYS.)

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

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169

16. Required Forms for Eventual Contracting

Reference Section 11.2 for the Bidder Checklist. The table below references some documents in Section 11.2, and also previews future required documentation if bidders are selected for eventual contracting.

Form/Document Notes/Instructions (If any)

Prompt Payment Discount Form, Electronic Submission

Required with submission, See Section 11.2

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number & Certification (Massachusetts Substitute W-9 Form)

Required with submission, See Section 11.2

Standard Contract Form and Instructions Not requested until awarded

Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Not requested until awarded

Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Not requested until awarded

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

(WWW.COMMBUYS.COM).

17. 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 C: RFR – Other Specifications

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

RFR # 260087 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-26-1037-1CEN0-CENTR-123169 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.

18. Right to Rescind

Pursuant to 801 CMR 21.06(7), EEC reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, after its release, without awarding a contract. EEC may reject all bid responses without prejudice.