This document discusses using the ITS53 state contract as an alternative to traditional procurement methods under Massachusetts law Chapter 30B for acquiring planimetric data. ITS53 allows municipalities to issue a Request for Quotes (RFQ) to pre-qualified vendors under the state contract for GIS project services, avoiding public bidding requirements. The document lists approved ITS53 vendors, tips for using the contract like clearly defining needs and budgeting, and provides resources for more information.

1. BUYING PLANIMETRIC
DATA WITH ITS53
Brian DuPont, GIS Manager
Town of Wellesley, MA

2. “Traditional” Procurement – c.
30B
 Under $10,000
 “Sound business practices”
 $10,000 - $34,999
 Seek 3 quotes. Award to bidder with the best price.
 $35,000+
 Requires competitive sealed bid/proposal
(IFB/RFP).
 Establish evaluation criteria to determine “best
value”.
 Fair amount of administrative overhead.
 Public bidding - Open to any vendor.

3. ITS53 – an alternative to 30B
 A MA Master State Service Agreement (i.e.
State Contract)
 Available to all State agencies, political
subdivisions, and public institutions (e.g. UMass)
 Effective July 1, 2014 thru June 30, 2019
 Specifically, ITS53ProjServGIS
 “Project Services” category w/ 3 sub-categories:
 General GIS Services, Web Mapping Services,
and Planimetric Mapping Services

4. ITS53 – RFQ process
 Prepare a Request for Quotes (RFQ)
 Similar, but simpler than IFB/RFP
 Template/guidance coming soon!
 Distribute your RFQ to a list of pre-qualified
vendors
 Ideally, to at least 3…
 Evaluate responses and select a vendor
 Choice may be based on “best value”, not
lowest cost.

5. ITS53 – Vendors
Kappa Mapping
Sanborn
WSP USA (formerly Chas. H. Sells)
James W. Sewall Company
Selected competitively by the contract team
based on experience, capacity, and references…
not cost!

6. Tips for using ITS53…
 ITS53 cannot be used to buy hardware or
software. Also cannot use it to acquire
imagery.
 Really understand what it is you want to buy
(and what you don’t want to buy).
 Stay tuned for Ted’s presentation!
 Budget accordingly. Opportunity to engage
vendors early on in the process.
 Provide samples of your imagery / data.
 More to come in the guidance document…

7. Thank you!
Online Resources:
MA Chapter 30B Manual
MassGIS, MA Service Agreements for
GIS Services
OSD, ITS53ProjServGIS Contract
User Guide