Inclusive Quote Contract (IQC)
The IQC allows City staff to use a simplified process to procure higher values of supplies and services when purchased from small, local, disadvantaged businesses.
BACKGROUND
In 2022, Mayor Wu filed a home rule petition via the City Council entitled “A Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to 30B,” which was then sent to the Massachusetts State Legislature after unanimous passage by Council members. The bill was later approved by the Legislature in July 2022.
The new Inclusive Quote Contract law raised the written quote contract threshold for purchases made by the City of Boston from $50,000 to $250,000 (the Massachusetts Small Purchase threshold) when those contracts are with certified disadvantaged businesses. With this new law, a City department can contact at least three certified disadvantaged businesses for written quotes on contracts valued up to $250,000.
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What is the IQC?
BENEFITS OF THE IQC
Compared to procurements through Requests for Proposals or Invitation for Bids processes, the requests for written quote(s) contract process is significantly simpler and cost-effective for both small, local businesses and City departments.
- It allows disadvantaged businesses to avoid the high overhead of staff time and legal services required for the preparation of more formal competitive bids.
- It also allows for City staff to use a simplified process to procure higher values of supplies and services if purchased from small, local, disadvantaged businesses.
Chapter 30b Procedures
Chapter 30B establishes three sets of procedures for procuring supplies and services, depending on the actual dollar value of the procurement:
| Threshold | Required Procedure |
|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | Use sound business practices |
| $10,000 - $50,000 | Request 3 written quotes |
| More than $50,000 | Solicit competitive sealed bids or proposals |
As listed above, procurement officials will need to seek at least three written quotations for supplies and services valued between $10,000 and $50,000. The IQC allows buyers at the City of Boston to continue using the written quote procedure for purchases above $50,000, up to $250,000, as long as they seek written quotes from certified businesses only.
Prepare Your Business to Participate
Per the Special Law, City buyers can only solicit quotes from certified businesses if they wish to use the Inclusive Quote Contract. To qualify as a certified business, you can be certified by either the City of Boston's Department of Supplier Diversity or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office.
GET CERTIFIED WIth the City of boston
City of Boston Certifications:
- MBE - Minority Business Enterprise
- WBE Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
- SBE - Small Business Enterprise
- SLBE - Small Local Business Enterprise
Interested in certifying your business as an MBE, WBE, SBE, or SLBE? We have a step-by-step guide to submitting a certification application online or by mail or email.
GET CERTIFIED WITH THE STATE
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Certifications:
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MBE - Minority Business Enterprise
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WBE - Women Business Enterprise
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VBE - Veteran Business Enterprise
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SDVOBE - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise
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DOBE - Disability-Owned Business Enterprises
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LGBTBE - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Enterprise
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PBE - Portuguese Business Enterprise
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DBE - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
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ACDBE - Airport Concession-DBE
Interested in getting our business certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)? Check our the SDO website for more resources.
BECOME A CITY VENDOR
Once you're certified, you'll need to become a City vendor by creating an account in our Supplier Portal. This account will allow your business to actually submit a bids for City contracts. Follow the link below to create an account on the Supplier Portal.
Read H5039 Chapter 334
You can learn more about the Inclusive Quote Contract program by reading the Special Law approved by the Legislature in July 2022.
Awarded IQCs
Awarded IQCs| SUPPLIER NAME | DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/GOODs | contract amount | DEPARTMENT | BEGIN DT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moore, Caitlin | IQC - Yoga Instruction | $47,500.00 | Age Strong | 7/1/2023 |
| Prime Time Sports, Incorporated | Clothing for BTD | $43,470.00 | Procurement | 8/29/2023 |
| JM Goldson LLC | Consulting Services | $67,600.00 | Community Preservation | 9/15/2023 |
| Revby LLC | Small Business Strategy TA | $93,600.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 10/12/2023 |
| Depict Brands, Inc | Small Business Marketing TA | $108,000.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 10/12/2023 |
| Daily General Counsel, PLLC | Small Business Legal TA | $183,954.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 10/17/2023 |
| Prepshift, Inc. | Small Business Food Industry TA | $215,000.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 10/17/2023 |
| B.B.C.G. LLC d/b/a Vantage Graphics | Printing and Mailing Services | $100,000.00 | Office of Housing | 11/1/2023 |
| Opus Design | BERDO Communications Material | $75,000.00 | Environment Department | 12/11/2023 |
| VvS Architects & Consultants | BERDO reporting and verificatication | $75,000.00 | Environment Department | 12/18/2023 |
| Casablanca Services Inc | Snow Removal - Areas 1-5 | $229,500.00 | Parks Department | 2/5/2024 |
| Interstate Rental Service Inc. | Tent Rentals MBTA Diversions | $46,564.00 | Department of Transportation | 2/7/2024 |
| Social Impact Collective | Climate Ready Bus Shelter | $224,230.00 | Environment Department | 2/14/2024 |
| Field States LLC | Athletics Capacity Analysis | $109,412.50 | Office of Early Childhood | 2/28/2024 |
| Design Build Boston Construction, LLC | Outdoor Dining Areaway/Vault | $115,000.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 3/20/2024 |
| Service Design Collective Inc | EV00013861, PO 0000766898 | $250,000.00 | Digital Team | 4/12/2024 |
| SUPPLIER NAME | DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/GOODs | contract amount | DEPARTMENT | BEGIN DT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tessi Media LLC | BMS Equity Study | $150,625.00 | Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion | 6/16/2023 |
Business Guides for the City
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