MMA letter to Administration and Oversight Committee supporting bulk purchasing bill

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
State House, Boston

Dear Representative Walsh, Senator Joyce, and Members of the Committee,

On behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Municipal Association would like to express support for House 2975, an Act relative to achieving cost-savings through bulk purchasing programs.

This bill would amend Chapter 30B of the General Laws to allow local governments to pursue cooperative purchasing through procurement entities outside of Massachusetts. This provides a new opportunity for cities and towns to save money by purchasing from a greater number of public procurement groups than is now authorized by law. It would also provide access to a wider array of good and services, including opportunities that might not be available locally.

We have worked closely with the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officers on this legislation and participated in discussions with staff from the Inspector General’s office on ways to improve the bill. Attached are recommendations from the IG that we support and ask that you consider as amendments to the text of the bill before you.

With fiscal conditions at the state and local levels expected to remain extremely difficult for the next several years, the ability to maximize savings through procurement will be increasingly important for local government. We request that the committee give this important local government legislation a favorable report. Please do not hesitate to contact MMA Deputy Legislative Director John Robertson at (617) 426-7272 if you have any questions.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey C. Beckwith
MMA Executive Director