What products and services does City of Cambridge procure?

City of Cambridge commonly procures professional services, information technology (IT), facilities maintenance, and construction/design‑build services. These categories are procured via formal solicitation routes such as sealed IFBs, RFPs, or RFQs depending on statutory thresholds and service type.

Does City of Cambridge use cooperative purchasing or piggyback contracts?

City of Cambridge uses Massachusetts statewide contracts administered by the Operational Services Division and may piggyback on existing municipal or state contracts where authorized. Vendors should confirm cooperative-purchasing eligibility and ordering procedures with the Purchasing Department before relying on piggyback arrangements.

What vendor requirements does City of Cambridge publish for vendors?

City of Cambridge requires vendors to be 'responsible' and 'responsive' per the Guide to Procurement Practices; construction contracts require payment and performance bonds and insurance certificates. Background checks apply for certain roles, cybersecurity standards for IT procurements, and the Living Wage Ordinance applies to qualifying service contracts.

How does City of Cambridge approve procurement contracts and awards?

The City Council authorizes public improvements and expenditures while the City Manager oversees administration; the Purchasing Department implements contract awards under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B and City procurement guidelines. Certain service contracts are also subject to the City's Living Wage Ordinance and local approval processes.

Where can vendors find procurement policies and standard terms for City of Cambridge?

Procurement policies for City of Cambridge are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B and published in the Purchasing Department's document library, which includes the Chapter 30B Manual, local procurement guidelines, and related publications such as the City's Living Wage Ordinance.

What supplier diversity or local vendor preference programs does City of Cambridge use?

City of Cambridge operates a Supplier Diversity Program that supports MBE, WBE, SDVOBE, veteran‑owned, LGBTQ+‑owned, disability‑owned, and Small Local Business (SLOB) designations aligned with the Commonwealth's Supplier Diversity Office. The City also runs an annual Supplier Diversity Fair and a mentorship program for local vendors.

City of Cambridge

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Buyer type:: City
Location:: Cambridge, MA
Country:: US

City of Cambridge RFPs

Active opportunities open for bidding

689 Mass Ave Roofing Replacement - General Contractors
Posted
Sep 17, 2026
Closes
Nov 5, 2026
The City of Cambridge seeks general-contractor bids for roof replacement and minor envelope repairs at 689 Mass Ave. Bids must be submitted through the City’s Procurement Portal by 2:00 p.m. on November 5, 2026. General bidders must submit a DCAMM certificate of eligibility and update statement for General Building Construction.
COC-CIFB-FY27-31222: Fuel Tank System Improvements at DPW, Cemetery, and East Cambridge Fire House
Posted
Oct 1, 2026
Closes
Oct 22, 2026
Construction includes reconstruction of the concrete island and replacement of the tank top equipment at the DPW site and removal and replacement of the fuel tank and the tank top equipment at the cemetery site. Additionally, the work includes the installation and replacement of various miscellaneous fuel system components and equipment across all three sites.
Seasonal & On Call Irrigation Services at Danehy Park & Fresh Pond Golf Course RFP
Posted
Oct 1, 2026
Closes
Oct 22, 2026
Seasonal and on call irrigation services.

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Buyer Attributes

Key metrics and characteristics

Census ID
Government ID for mapping buyers across datasets.
166448
Employee FTE
Full-time equivalent employees.
3,588
Population
Population size to gauge opportunity scale.
122,588
Procurement Hell Score
How easy their procurement process is to navigate. Lower is better.
45 / 100
Propensity to Spend
How likely this buyer is to spend on new technology based on operating budget trends.
CautiousAggressive
Higher is better Unlock
AI Adoption Score
How likely this buyer is to adopt new AI technologies.
ConservativeEarly Adopter
Higher is better Unlock
Startup Friendliness
How often this buyer champions startups and early adoption.
TraditionalStartup-Friendly
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Latest Budget Year
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Operating Budget
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How to Sell to City of Cambridge

Procurement guidance and navigation tips.

Procurement Hell Score
Lower scores indicate easier procurement. Created by Starbridge.
45 / 100
EasyLower is betterHellish
Quick Decision Flow
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- Sole Source: If sale is less than $50,000, use sole source. Otherwise, avoid for purchases ≥ $50,000; pivot to coops to prevent delays.
- Coops: Lead with MA statewide contracts via COMMBUYS; confirm the city can buy off your awarded contract.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
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Sole Source
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- Entity: City of Cambridge (MA)
- Threshold note: Sole source above $50,000 is extremely rare.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
Cooperatives
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- Cambridge actively uses cooperative purchasing, especially MA statewide contracts via COMMBUYS.
- Programs commonly available to Cambridge:
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.

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Early Buyer Signals

Board meetings and strategic plans from City of Cambridge

Cambridge Planning Board Planning Board Meeting
Date: Sep 15, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The meeting featured a public hearing regarding a mixed-use development proposal for the Alewife Quadrangle, including residential, retail, office, and laboratory components along with municipal services. Key discussion points involved the project's conformance with area zoning, the integration of public benefits, and the status of a proposed pedestrian and bicycle bridge connection to the MBTA railway. The board also addressed organizational updates, reviewed administrative procedures, and outlined future agenda items, such as upcoming zoning petitions and affordable housing initiatives.
Cambridge Housing Committee Committee Meeting
Date: Oct 1, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The meeting focused on the rezoning of Central Square and its role in cultural preservation. Key discussion topics included utilizing zoning as a mechanism for economic and cultural development, strategies for alleviating the local housing crisis, and methods for preserving artistic and cultural spaces amidst residential growth. Participants examined proposed developer incentives, the importance of maintaining Central Square's identity as a cultural district, and the need for a holistic approach to urban planning that integrates art, nightlife, and community housing needs.
Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal Meeting

Key Contacts

Public-sector contacts connected to City of Cambridge.

Ronnie SunAccounting Manager

*******@************

+1 (***) ***-****

Paula CraneActing City Clerk

*******@************

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Frequently asked questions

Who manages procurement contracts and purchasing for City of Cambridge?

The City of Cambridge Purchasing Department centrally manages procurement and purchasing, operating under the administrative oversight of the City Manager and the policy and authorization authority of the City Council. Vendors should contact the Purchasing Department for procurement contacts, solicitations, and department-specific purchasing guidance.

Where does City of Cambridge post bids and RFPs?

The City of Cambridge posts bids and RFPs on its eProcurement portal (OpenGov) and references Massachusetts COMMBUYS for statewide contract opportunities. Vendors should register on the OpenGov portal and subscribe to notifications to receive postings for IFBs, RFPs, and RFQs.

How do vendors complete vendor registration with City of Cambridge?

City of Cambridge

City of Cambridge RFPs

689 Mass Ave Roofing Replacement - General Contractors

COC-CIFB-FY27-31222: Fuel Tank System Improvements at DPW, Cemetery, and East Cambridge Fire House

Seasonal & On Call Irrigation Services at Danehy Park & Fresh Pond Golf Course RFP

Buyer Attributes

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How to Sell to City of Cambridge

Early Buyer Signals

Cambridge Planning Board Planning Board Meeting

Cambridge Housing Committee Committee Meeting

Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal Meeting

Key Contacts

Frequently asked questions

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City of Cambridge RFPs

689 Mass Ave Roofing Replacement - General Contractors

COC-CIFB-FY27-31222: Fuel Tank System Improvements at DPW, Cemetery, and East Cambridge Fire House

Seasonal & On Call Irrigation Services at Danehy Park & Fresh Pond Golf Course RFP

Buyer Attributes

Find best-fit RFPs — Then Nail the Response

How to Sell to City of Cambridge

Early Buyer Signals

Cambridge Planning Board Planning Board Meeting

Cambridge Housing Committee Committee Meeting

Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal Meeting

Key Contacts

Frequently asked questions

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City of Cambridge

City of Cambridge RFPs

Buyer Attributes

Find best-fit RFPs — Then Nail the Response

How to Sell to City of Cambridge

Early Buyer Signals

Cambridge Planning Board Planning Board Meeting

Cambridge Housing Committee Committee Meeting

Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal Meeting

Key Contacts

Frequently asked questions

Get your 10 highest-intent accounts

City of Cambridge RFPs

Buyer Attributes

Find best-fit RFPs — Then Nail the Response

How to Sell to City of Cambridge

Early Buyer Signals

Cambridge Planning Board Planning Board Meeting

Cambridge Housing Committee Committee Meeting

Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal Meeting

Key Contacts

Frequently asked questions

Know what buyers discuss before RFPs drop

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