Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners - Statewide Subject Specific Reference & Research Databases - RFR 27-105 (2026)
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of MassachusettsState · Boston, MA- Due
- Dec 18, 2026
- 34 days left
- Posted
- Sep 14, 2026
- Contract term
- 5 years
- Primary contact
- Tanesha Deane
- (617) 725-1860 ext 241
The 30-second brief
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is seeking proposals for licensed access to electronic general database services and research databases providing in-depth full text access to scholarly publications for library patrons. The procurement covers statewide electronic resources with remote access, covering single subject or discipline databases across academic, public, school, and special libraries. The contract term is an initial 2 years with 3 optional 1-year renewals totaling 5 years, starting July 1, 2027. Submissions are due by December 18, 2026, via COMMBUYS. Evaluation criteria include Narrative Proposal, Cost Proposal, Content, Bidder Presentation/Product Trials, Supplier Diversity Program, and Support and Communication. Vendors must comply with WCAG 2.2 AA digital accessibility standards and submit an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
Narrative Proposal (5 points), Cost Proposal (20 points), Content (20 points), Bidder Presentation/Product Trials (20 points), Supplier Diversity Program (25 points), Support and Communication (10 points)
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Summary
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is seeking proposals for licensed access to electronic general database services and research databases providing in-depth full text access to scholarly publications for library patrons.
The procurement covers statewide electronic resources with remote access, covering single subject or discipline databases across academic, public, school, and special libraries. The contract term is an initial 2 years with 3 optional 1-year renewals totaling 5 years, starting July 1, 2027. Submissions are due by December 18, 2026, via COMMBUYS. Evaluation criteria include Narrative Proposal, Cost Proposal, Content, Bidder Presentation/Product Trials, Supplier Diversity Program, and Support and Communication. Vendors must comply with WCAG 2.2 AA digital accessibility standards and submit an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
8- Narrative Proposal
- Cost Proposal
- Accessibility Conformance Report
- Vendor Digital Accessibility Questionnaire
- Supplier Diversity Form
- Business Reference Form
- Prompt Payment Discount Form
- RFR Submission Checklist
- Submit to
- https://www.commbuys.com
- Scope location
- Boston, MA
- Reported agency
- Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is December 18, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://www.commbuys.com. For questions, contact Tanesha Deane.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts in MA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Tanesha Deane at (617) 725-1860 ext 241. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Narrative Proposal (5 points), Cost Proposal (20 points), Content (20 points), Bidder Presentation/Product Trials (20 points), Supplier Diversity Program (25 points), Support and Communication (10 poi..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
All active and historical solicitations from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 5 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of December 18, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Narrative Proposal, Cost Proposal, Accessibility Conformance Report, Vendor Digital Accessibility Questionnaire, Supplier Diversity Form, Business Reference Form, Prompt Payment Discount Form, RFR Sub. Review the full document from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners | Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Boston, MA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.
