Selling to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

How a company registers as a supplier with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the state's certification programs and drone programs, and where to get help in Massachusetts, with the official sources. Federal registrations such as SAM.gov are in the federal guides.

COMMBUYS (the Commonwealth's procurement system, run by the Operational Services Division)

How to register

1. 1Know the basics: the Operational Services Division (OSD) says the Commonwealth's procurement and purchasing activity takes place in COMMBUYS, and a free COMMBUYS profile is needed to receive bid notices.
2. 2Gather your business legal name, address, email and tax identification number (TIN). The COMMBUYS form accepts an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Social Security Number; international vendors must use an EIN.
3. 3Pick at least one UNSPSC code (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code) for what you sell. OSD requires at least one code and emails bid notices that match your codes. Use OSD's UNSPSC Look-Up Tool: https://www.mass.gov/doc/unspsc-look-up-tool/download
4. 4Go to https://www.commbuys.com/bso/ and click Register (Create Your Supplier Account). Enter Tax ID, company name, email address and country.
5. 5Choose a Seller Administrator. This person manages the company profile. The Seller Administrator can also take the Seller role to receive and answer bids, or give the Seller role to other staff.
6. 6Add up to three email addresses for bid notices, so more than one person gets them (OSD FAQ).
7. 7Sign in and change your password. COMMBUYS asks for a new password at first sign-in and every 60 days after. Passwords need at least eight characters, with at least one number and one letter.
8. 8For help, call the OSD Help Desk at (888) 627-8283, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov. A registration webcast is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwy6xwdjLmw

• SDO Diversity Certification: Minority (MBE), Women (WBE), Portuguese (PBE) and Veteran (VBE) Business EnterprisesMassachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)Minority-owned, women-owned, Portuguese-owned and veteran-owned businesses. There are separate applications for Massachusetts-based and out-of-state businesses. Applicants create a profile in the SDO Certification Portal and watch the pre-certification webcast before applying. Out-of-state businesses must first be certified in their home state and give SDO the home-state certification letter and/or site visit report. SDO's page for Massachusetts-based businesses says 'SDO Certification is a free service.' Both application pages say the process may take 30 to 60 days after a complete application.
• SDO recognition of third-party certifications (including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, LGBT-Owned and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises)Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)Businesses already certified by an organization SDO recognizes: GNEMSDC (MBE; New England states only), Center for Women & Enterprise/WBENC New England (WBE; New England states only), City of Boston (MBE/WBE), SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification, VetCert (VOSB/SDVOSB), NaVOBA (VBE/SDVOBE), NGLCC (LGBTBE) and Disability:IN (DOBE/SDVOBE). Create a profile in the SDO Certification Portal, select 'Apply/Verify my Third-Party Certifications' and supply the certifier's letter. The Massachusetts certification ends on the same date as the original one.
• Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP)Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), Supplier Diversity ProgramBusinesses with a principal place of business in Massachusetts, at least one year in business and one year of tax filings, 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (or under 26,000 combined hours per quarter), and gross revenues of $15 million or less (three-year average). SDO checks eligibility overnight with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certificationMassachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MassUCP/DBE Certification Office (Unified Certification Program)Firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals that want to work on contracts funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. MassUCP takes applications by mail only, charges no fee, and aims to decide within 90 days of a complete application.

• MassDOT Aeronautics Drone Operations Program: Vendor ProgramMassachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Aeronautics DivisionCompanies that fly drones for MassDOT or the MBTA must be admitted to the Vendor Program. A current contract with MassDOT and/or the MBTA is a prerequisite. Contact the program through its online form; MassDOT Aeronautics says it responds within 14 days, reviews the company's policies and procedures, and then reviews nominated pilots. Phone: (857) 368-8705.
• MassTech Robotics programMassachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)MassTech's robotics page lists state grant programs (RoboBench awards and the Massachusetts Robotic Digital Twin Initiative) and the Massachusetts Robotics Industry Steering Committee. The page names aerial drones and autonomous and underwater vehicles as part of the state's robotics sector.
• SHIELD (Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense) and the Business Front Door defense focusExecutive Office of Economic Development (EOED); SHIELD Working Group led by MassTechDefense-sector initiative launched October 27, 2025 by Executive Order 648. EOED created a defense industry sector focus in its Business Front Door Navigator team to connect defense companies with state resources.

• APEX AcceleratorMassachusetts APEX Accelerator (MA APEX), a partner program of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP)APEX Accelerator website
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, University of Massachusetts AmherstSBDC website
• Economic developmentExecutive Office of Economic Development (EOED)Economic development agency website

• Where to startThe order: the basics, codes and size, SAM.gov, certifications, drone rules, documents, where to sell, and free and low-cost help.
• SAM.gov registrationThe federal government's free registration for companies that want federal contracts: the Unique Entity ID, the CAGE code and the yearly renewal.
• Codes and profilesNAICS and PSC codes, SBA size standards, CAGE and NCAGE codes, and the SBA Small Business Search profile buyers search.
• SBA certificationsThe SBA's 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned (WOSB and EDWOSB) and veteran-owned (VetCert) programs: who each is for and how to apply.
• Drone complianceThe rules for selling drones to government and flying them: NDAA and the American Security Drone Act, Blue UAS, the FCC, FAA Part 107, ITAR, EAR and CMMC.
• Documents to prepareWhat government buyers, SBA lenders, SBIR and STTR programs and investors ask to see.
• Selling to federal buyersWhere federal contracts, subcontracts and research funding are posted: SAM.gov, primes, the GSA schedule, SBIR and STTR, DIU, AFWERX, the Army, the Navy, SOFWERX and DHS.
• Utilities and public buyersUtilities, HUD-funded agencies, state transportation departments, cities and counties, and cooperative contracts such as Sourcewell and NASPO ValuePoint.
• Free and low-cost helpAPEX Accelerators, SBDCs, SBA district offices, SCORE, veterans' and women's business centers, MEP centers and agency small business offices.

• OSD: COMMBUYS Vendor Registration
• COMMBUYS sign-in and Create Your Supplier Account form
• SDO: Certification Program for SDO
• SDO: Apply for Diversity Certification as a Massachusetts-based Business
• SDO: Apply/Verify for Recognition as a Third-Party Certified Business
• SDO: Register for the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP)
• MassUCP: Apply for DBE certification
• MassUCP: Apply for Interstate DBE certification
• MassDOT Aeronautics Drone Operations Program
• MassDOT Aeronautics Vendor Program
• MassDOT Drone Contractor and Vendor Information
• MassTech: Robotics
• Governor Healey Launches Defense Sector Initiative (SHIELD), 10/27/2025
• Massachusetts: National Leader for Defense Innovation (MOBD)
• Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (MA APEX)
• UMass page: Massachusetts APEX Accelerator now hosted by MassMEP
• Massachusetts SBDC Network
• Executive Office of Economic Development
• Federal Register: DBE interim final rule (Oct 3, 2025)
• Federal Register: DBE final rule (effective Sept 25, 2026)

Last checked September 25, 2026. Rules, fees and programs change; the official sources are where to confirm them before applying or spending money.

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