Business Development Public Private Partnership

The Massachusetts Office of Business Development, under the Executive Office of Economic Development, is seeking a qualified organization to establish a long-term strategic public-private partnership aimed at extending the Commonwealth’s business development efforts, particularly in international and out-of-state market recruitment. This initiative, issued under solicitation BD-27-1100-SEA01-SEA01-131123, is designed to attract global investment, drive economic activity, and bolster regional growth through coordinated outreach, CRM-driven lead generation, and ecosystem collaboration with MOITI, Team Massachusetts partners, universities, and regional economic development organizations. The partnership will operate as an extension of the state’s economic development framework, with primary performance based in Boston, Massachusetts, and activities scaled statewide over a three-year funding cycle. Proposals will be evaluated using a trade-off methodology based on five weighted factors: out-of-state and international recruitment capability (30%), financial capacity and private fundraising strength (25%), organizational leadership and governance (15%), system integration with state entities (15%), and performance accountability with measurable KPIs (15%), with no preference given to lowest price. The selected partner will be required to demonstrate robust financial sustainability, including a dollar-for-dollar match of state funding through private, philanthropic, or institutional sources, and must comply with stringent reporting obligations, including quarterly progress updates, shared CRM dashboards, and outcome-based performance tracking. Key contractual requirements include submission of detailed organizational profiles through mandatory appendices covering board composition, staffing, and funding sources; strict adherence to Massachusetts public records laws; prohibition of fund usage for lobbying, real estate acquisition, or direct financial aid to private firms without approval; and enrollment in Electronic Funds Transfer for all payments. The contractor must maintain records for seven years post-performance and provide certifications of good standing, compliance with labor and immigration laws, and full disclosure of any criminal, legal, or administrative actions involving the organization. No federal contract clauses apply, as this is a state-level grant arrangement. The contracting officer will appoint administrative personnel post-award, and funding is contingent on milestone achievement and verification of matching funds, with quarterly reviews determining continued support. All proposals must be submitted electronically via the COMMBUYS portal by the deadline of August 6, 2026, with no page limits but full responsiveness to all required sections and attachments.