Citizens' Guide to State Services:
State Administration

Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F)

State House, Room 373
Boston, MA 02133-1012
Phone: 617-727-2040
Fax: 617-727-2779
E-mail: contactanf@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-for-administration-and-finance

The Executive Office for Administration and Finance oversees the following agencies:

• State Appellate Tax Board
• Bureau of the State House
• Civil Service Unit
• Department of Revenue
• Developmental Disabilities Council
• Division of Administrative Law Appeals
• Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
• Group Insurance Commission
• Human Resources Division
• Massachusetts Office on Disability
• Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
• Operational Services Division
• Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission
• State Library
• The Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Its activities fall into four broad categories:

• Financial operations which include budgeting, general fiscal oversight of state and local government, collecting tax revenue and enforcing certain other financial obligations
• Central services which include the centralized procurement of goods and services for the government, automated data processing operations, and the construction, repair, and management of certain state buildings
• Human resources administration which includes administration of the state personnel system, collective bargaining activities, and the provision of employee benefits
• Administrative law services which include quasi-judicial appeal hearings of the decisions of state and local government, and dispute resolution

Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA)

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
1 Congress Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-7060
www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-administrative-law-appeals

The Division of Administrative Law Appeals is an independent central hearing agency that conducts adjudicatory hearings of appeals to or from certain state agencies or as the result of notification of intended state agency action, i.e. the revocation or suspension of a professional license or certification. These hearings are either constitutionally or statutorily required.

Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC)

100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Phone: 617-287-4040
Fax: 617-287-4049
www.umb.edu/mopc

Formerly the Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution, MOPC provides cost-saving services to state agencies, municipalities, the courts, and citizens of the Commonwealth. It resolves major environmental, housing, or regulatory stalemates, settles civil lawsuits, eliminates the need for administrative hearings, and builds consensus on issues of state and local policies. The office screens, selects, trains, assigns, and supervises mediators who serve in these disputes. It also conducts educational programs and provides other services to reduce the occurrence, magnitude, or cost of disputes. MOPC is funded by charges to user agencies and the public.

Fiscal Affairs Division

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
State House, Room 272
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-727-2081
Fax: 617-727-2050
E-mail: karen.dillard@massmail.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-for-administration-and-finance

The Fiscal Affairs Division, also known as the Budget Bureau, reviews and evaluates all requests for appropriations and estimates of revenue, prepares the governor's budget recommendations, and administers the provisions of all appropriations acts. The bureau develops and manages the financial planning activities of state government as a whole and assesses the financial and programmatic impact of state agency activities. It coordinates the review and processing of all federal funds received by the Commonwealth. It ensures compliance with the state law which governs state agency applications for federal monies (MGL Ch 29:6B), reviews grant applications, and monitors federal grant program spending.

Bureau of the State House

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
State House, Room 1
24 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-727-1100
24/7 Emergency Phone: 617-727-1000 (help)
www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-the-state-house

The Bureau of the State House charter and mission is described in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 8. It is the specific responsibility of the Bureau to provide a safe, secure workplace and visitor destination ensuring that all users of this building have a pleasant secure, safe and healthy environment. The Bureau maintains and manages the State House recognizing that it functions as a place of business, museum of art and history, as well as a site for public congregation. The bureau oversees the following offices:

State House ADA Coordinator

State House Event Scheduling

Security at the State House (Not A&F)

State House DCR Rangers

State Police

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Operational Services Division (OSD)

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1017
Boston, MA 02108-1552
Phone: 617-720-3300
TTY: 617-727-2716
Fax: 617-727-4527
www.mass.gov/orgs/operational-services-division

Operational Services Division facilitates and audits the acquisition of commodities, professional, general, human and social services that support the socio-economic goals of the Commonwealth including disadvantaged business, environmental, and other programs that are in the best interest of the Commonwealth. Additionally, OSD has the responsibility for the administration of fleet operations and surplus personal property disposition. The acquisition of goods and services is subject to publication requirements in the Goods and Services Bulletin as specified in state regulations. For further information, see the State Publications and Regulations Division. It also manages COMMBUYS, which allows businesses online access to all of the information necessary to bid on many state contracts. The State Surplus Property Program regulates the transfer of surplus personal property (office equipment, computers. vehicles) to departments, political subdivisions and non-profit organizations. It also oversees the sale of this property to the general public. In addition to regulating the transfer of personal property, this office oversees the transfer of available federal surplus property to state and local agencies. Additionally, OSD oversees the Commonwealth Print Services office that offers printing services to all state agencies as well as to the general public.

COMMBUYS

Commonwealth Print Services

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
1 Ashburton Place, 15th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-4050
Fax: 617-727-5363
E-mail: info.dcamm@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-capital-asset-management-and-maintenance

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance is responsible for planning, design, property management, facilities maintenance, and supervision of construction, acquisition, renovation, repair, and demolition of public buildings of the state and its counties. Agencies in the division are: the Office of Planning Design and Construction, Office of Real Estate Management Services, Leasing and State Office Planning, Finance and Administration and the Bid Room. The Office of the General, Council, performs all legal functions and services related to state building projects and real estate development. The Office of Finance and Administration is responsible for the fiscal and administrative operations of DCAMM. Finance and Administration manages the spending on all projects at the agency and maintains the Division's daily operational expenses. The Office of Real Estate Management is responsible for many of the state's real property functions, which include the purchase, sale, and maintenance of land, buildings, and facilities. After real property of a state agency is declared surplus to the agency's needs and the needs of its secretariat, the DCAMM declares it to be surplus to the Commonwealth and oversees its disposition. The office works closely with cities and towns to plan the reuse of surplus properties. The Office of Leasing and Planning is responsible for handling all properties leased by the state. It works with client agencies to determine their current and future needs for leased space and assists them in procuring space from private and public commercial property owners. The Office of Planning, Design and Construction manages the design and construction process for all state building projects. In this capacity, it oversees architectural and engineering firms, as well as general contractors who perform work on both new construction projects and building repairs. Other projects include preventative maintenance and emergency repairs, energy conservation and other efficiency improvements. DCAMM has taken over the day-to-day operations of the state office buildings: Charles F. Hurly; Erich Lindemann; John W. McCormack, the State House, State Transportation Building and the William A. Hinton State Laboratory all located in Boston. In Chelsea it manages the Massachusetts Information Technology Center. In Springfield it manages the State Exposition Center, Springfield Data Center and the “Western State House” located on Dwight Street, as well as the state office building in Pittsfield, Massachusetts from the former Bureau of State Office Buildings.

Designer Selection Board

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1004
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-4046
Fax: 617-727-0112
E-mail: info.dsb@massmail.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/designer-selection-board

The Designer Selection Board is an autonomous eleven member board that selects designers for public building construction throughout the Commonwealth. Eight members are appointed by the Governor, three of whom are registered architects, three registered engineers, and two representatives of the public who are not architect designers, engineers, or construction contractors. Three additional members are appointed by professional societies. Architects, engineers, planners, construction managers, and related construction industry consultants who wish to be considered for appointment as program consultants, designers, or construction managers on state projects under the jurisdiction of the Designer Selection Board must submit current credentials.

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Bid Room and Contractor Certification

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
1 Ashburton Place, Room 107
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-4003
E-mail: bid.room.dcamm@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/construction-bidding-and-other-dcamm-procurement

The Bid Room is responsible for the public bidding of all construction projects under the jurisdiction of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. Contractors wishing to submit prime bids on public building projects estimated to cost more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair of any publicly owned building must first be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management. Certification is not required for filed sub-bids.

State Ethics Commission

1 Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-371-9500
Toll Free: 1-888-485-4766
Fax: 617-723-5851
E-mail:eth-feedback@massmail.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/state-ethics-commission
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00

The Ethics Commission, which was established as an independent enforcement agency, is responsible for administering the Conflict of Interest and the Financial Disclosure laws which apply to all state, county, and municipal employees and officials. The commission investigates alleged violations of these two statutes and imposes civil fines for substantial violations. It will provide legal advice to any public employee concerning the Conflict of Interest Law prior to engaging in the activity in question. The commission also offers free educational seminars and explanatory materials upon request. The commission is composed of five members, three of whom are appointed by the Governor, and one each by the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Office of the Comptroller

1 Ashburton Place, Room 901
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-5000
Help Desk: 617-973-2468
Fax: 617-727-2163
E-mail: comptroller.info@state.ma.us
www.macomptroller.org/

Pursuant to the requirements of state finance law, the Comptroller's Office is responsible for all accounting policies and practices of the Commonwealth, publication of official financial reports, and oversight of certain management and expenditure functions. The office also operates the state's accounting and payroll systems, administers the annual Single State Audit, which is performed by outside auditors on behalf of the federal government and the state, and prepares the warrant for the Governor's Council. A statewide vendor file (those that do business with the state) is maintained by the office. Its online information includes MASSfinance, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' online source for financial information. From this page, citizens, employees, and Commonwealth vendors can access information, undertake transactions, and explore the state's method of accounting. VendorWeb is a common access point for Commonwealth vendors, which will enable them to process transactions with the Commonwealth, as well as access valuable and relevant accounting information stored on the website.

Group Insurance Commission (GIC)

19 Staniford Street, 4th floor P.O. Box 8747 Boston, MA 02114-8747
Phone: 617-727-2310
TTY: 617-227-8583
www.mass.gov/orgs/group-insurance-commission
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:45-5:00

The Group Insurance Commission is a quasi-independent state agency governed by an eleven-member Commission appointed by the Governor. The Commission administers health insurance and other benefits to the Commonwealth's employees and retirees, and their dependents and survivors. It also covers housing and redevelopment authorities' personnel, and retired municipal employees and teachers in certain governmental units. The GIC also manages basic and optional life insurance coverage and, as part of its indemnity and PPO Plans, mental health/substance abuse and pharmacy benefits. For active employees only, the GIC offers a long-term disability program and, for non-unionized state employees, a dental/vision plan.

Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS)

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
1 Ashburton Place, Room 804
Boston, MA 02108-1518
Phone: 617-626-4400
Toll Free CommonHelp Service Desk: 1-866-888-2808
www.mass.gov/topics/executive-office-of-technology-services-and-security

The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS), is the state’s lead executive agency for technology and innovation. The Commonwealth Chief Information Officer serves as agency head for EOTSS whose mission is to drive the digital business of state government to meet the continually evolving needs of constituents, schools, businesses, and local government. In addition, EOTSS acts as an internal centralized provider of technology services to state entities, sets technology policies and standards, and provides oversight for IT procurement, vendor and contract management, and project management. As an IT service provider, EOTSS’s Mass.gov team supports the technology behind the Mass.gov website. They also manage the Commonwealth’s Office of Geographic Information, more commonly called MassGIS, as well as the Office of Municipal & School Technology, see P14 next entry.

Office of Municipal & School Technology (OMST)

100 Cambridge Street, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02108-1518
Phone: 617-626-4501
Email: omst@mass.gov
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-municipal-and-school-technology
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30

MassIT’s Office of Municipal and School Technology supports local governments by leveraging the Commonwealth’s technology resources, sharing best practices, and facilitating state and local collaboration.

Office of the Inspector General

1 Ashburton Place, Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-9140
24/7 Toll Free: 1-800-322-1323 (Confidential Fraud Hotline, within Mass. only)
Fax: 617-723-2334
Email: MA-IGO-General-Mail@massmail.state.ma.us
Whistleblower E-mail: IGO-FightFraud@massmail.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-inspector-general

An independent agency, it is the responsibility of the inspector general to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in the expenditure of public funds, state, federal, or local, used for the purchase of supplies or for the procurement of construction by any state, county, or local agency, department, institution, or commission or by any entity created by the General Court. The inspector general may conduct audits and investigations involving the expenditure of public funds for the above purposes. Public employees are subject to whistleblower protection, M.G.L. Ch.12A, §14(c) against retaliatory action for reporting possible violations in the purchase of goods and services. Employees are encouraged to contact the Inspector General’s office to report the abuse of or misuse of public funds. The inspector general is appointed for a term of five years by a majority vote of the Governor, Attorney General, and the State Auditor.