Marketing Strategies

Tips and Ideas from the Operational Services Division

This page provides resources to help market your business to Commonwealth buyers. The Marketing and Communications section provides guidance on outreach to customers. The information includes a list of eligible entities that may purchase goods and services from Statewide Contracts, databases that provide contact information for potential clients, and programs that help gain visibility for your company.  

Marketing and Communication Guidelines for Statewide Contractors

The following guidelines apply to all cases where your company in its capacity as a Statewide Contractor interacts with Contract Eligible Entities, whether by actively contacting Eligible Entities or by releasing information related to the contract through print materials, website, email, or other means that may be accessed by Eligible Entities. 

1. Identifying your company as a contractor. Marketing materials and communications issued by statewide contractors should identify your company as a “Massachusetts Statewide Contractor” or “Massachusetts Statewide Contract Holder.” Contractors should not use phrases such as “preferred vendor,” “state-approved vendor,” “vendor on the state list” or “vendor of choice” (or combinations thereof) in conjunction with the Statewide Contract, as such phrases are misleading.
2. Use of the state seal.  By law, Contractors are prohibited from using the image of the state seal on their marketing materials and communications.
3. Use of the COMMBUYS and Statewide Contract logos. Contractors who have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to OSD Logos for Statewide Contractors may use the logo files provided by OSD for print and online marketing of the Contractors’ goods and services available on Statewide Contract, so long as such usage complies with the terms and conditions outlined in the MOU.
4. Contract product identification. All Contractor staff involved in work on the Statewide Contract must be aware of the contract scope and its limitations. Staff members must be able to clearly identify products covered (and not covered) by their contract award. All marketing materials and communications, including quotes, containing both contract and non-contract products must clearly identify products that are covered by the contract as such. For catalogs, price lists, and similar materials, which include contract and non-contract products, Contractors may attach a separate document.
5. Review of marketing materials. As required by the Request for Response, Contractors must submit all marketing materials specifically dedicated to the Statewide Contract for approval by OSD Contract Manager and OSD Marketing and Communications.
6. Revisions. The Operational Services Division reserves the right to revise these guidelines throughout the life of the contract. Contractors will be allowed at least 30 calendar days to comply with any such changes.

Resources to Contact Eligible Buyers

There are numerous organizations that are eligible to purchase from OSD contracts. If you’re interested in learning more about who may buy from Statewide Contracts (SWCs), visit the Eligible Entities which may use Statewide Contracts page.

The following information is provided as a resource for Statewide Contractors to identify and to contact potential customers. Note: OSD does not maintain the directory information below. 

State Government: The link provided is an alphabetical list of all Massachusetts agencies. Executive Departments are required to use SWCs if the goods/services they seek are available, and the other agencies listed are eligible to purchase from SWCs

City and Town Local Official Directory: The Division of Local Services online directory provides addresses and contact information for officials in Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. The data in this directory is updated individually by the 351 local government organizations.

Detailed Information on Elementary and Secondary Schools: The Department of Education's website provides detailed information on public elementary and secondary schools, including address and contact information. It is maintained by the Department of Education. 

Massachusetts State Colleges and Universities: This web page, maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, contains links to all public higher education campuses in the Commonwealth.

Non-Profit Purchasing Programs: This web page contains a list of human and social service contractors eligible to buy goods and services from the Statewide Contracts.  A second list of additional approved non-profit organizations is also included.   

Local Housing Authority Listing: This website, maintained by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) provides a list of more than 200 local Housing Authorities from across the Commonwealth.