Cannabis Equity Program Architectural TA

The City of Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion is seeking competitive quotes from an architectural professional to provide tailored technical assistance to cannabis business owners in the Boston Cannabis Equity Program, with quotes due December 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM. The vendor must hold active Massachusetts Board of Registration of Architects licensure, a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree or equivalent, and passage of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

The scope includes one-on-one architectural support addressing industry-specific challenges such as facility design and layout, security planning, city permitting and application assistance, feasibility assessment and cost estimation, construction budgeting, value engineering, and aesthetics and branding. The vendor will also lead workshops and group sessions, participate in technical assistance events, and develop guidance materials for program participants. Qualified vendors must demonstrate at least three years of experience serving diverse businesses including cannabis enterprises and disadvantaged business enterprises, completion of at least two comparable projects with references, and familiarity with Boston's Inspectional Services Division permitting processes and cannabis regulations.

The contract runs from December 21, 2026 through February 28, 2028 with a maximum budget of $30,000. Payment is structured on a project-based basis upon satisfactory completion of each project and deliverables, with all quoted prices inclusive of travel, administrative time, and incidental expenses — no additional reimbursements are permitted. An optional virtual Q&A session is scheduled for November 9, 2026. Award will be made to the lowest quote deemed responsible and responsive. The vendor must comply with Boston Jobs, Living Wage, and Prevailing Wage Ordinance requirements and applicable heat illness protection ordinances if awarded. Submissions are due at City of Boston Procurement, One City Hall Square, Room 808, Boston, MA 02201, or through the City of Boston Supplier Portal. Contact: Jolivia Barros at jolivia.barros@boston.gov.