Boston Cannabis Equity Program Business Suppport

The City of Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion is soliciting competitive quotes for business consulting services to support cannabis equity businesses, with quotes due December 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM. The maximum budget is $49,000 with a project-based payment structure.

The scope covers one-on-one technical assistance including business planning, licensing application support, market research, regulatory compliance, operational optimization, financial management, marketing and branding, human resources, risk management, and strategic partnerships. The vendor must also conduct workshops and group sessions for prospective cannabis business owners, participate in technical assistance events, assist with grant applications, and develop City-owned guidance materials for Boston Cannabis Equity Program participants. All quoted prices must be inclusive of travel, administrative time, and incidental expenses with no additional reimbursements permitted beyond agreed deliverable-based pricing.

Responsible vendor qualifications require at least three to five years of experience serving diverse businesses, three comparable projects involving general business consulting, two examples of public-sector or government contract work, and demonstrated knowledge of cannabis industry regulations and the licensing process. The City encourages participation from small, local, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses and permits subcontracting with certified businesses.

The contract term runs from December 21, 2026 through February 28, 2028 with no renewal options. The City will award to the lowest quote deemed responsible and responsive. Vendors must comply with Boston's Jobs, Living Wage, and Prevailing Wage Ordinance requirements, certify compliance with the City's Criminal Offender Record Information policy, and confirm they are not debarred or suspended from federal or state procurement. A virtual Q&A session is scheduled for November 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Required contract forms include CM-10 and CM-11 terms and conditions upon award.