Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 7 § 58

Current through Chapters 1 to 249 and Chapters 253 to 255 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 7:58 - Definitions for Secs. 57 to 61

As used in sections 57 to 61, inclusive, of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings, unless a contrary intent is clearly indicated:-

"Affirmative marketing program", the program focused on increasing minority and women owned business participation in construction and design projects created pursuant to section 6 of chapter 7C with additional obligations set forth in section 61 of this chapter.

"Agency" or "state agency", a legal entity of state government established by the general court or by executive order as an agency, board, bureau, commission, council, department, office or division within the executive branch of the commonwealth with a specific mission and which is subject to the control of the governor.

"Certified business enterprise" and "certified business", a business certified pursuant to section 61.

"Disability-owned business enterprise" or "DOBE", for the purpose of receipt of services from SDO means a business enterprise that is both owned and controlled by one or more individuals with disabilities who have invested in an ongoing business free of conversion rights.

"Disadvantaged business enterprise", a disadvantaged business enterprise as defined by the United States Department of Transportation in 49 C.F.R. § 26 et seq. and as certified by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

"Diverse business", a minority business enterprise, women business enterprise, veteran business enterprise, service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprise, disability-owned business enterprise or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business enterprise, and any other certification category as established by statute or executive order.

"Diversity program" or "Diversity programs", state diverse procurement programs as defined herein, including the supplier diversity program, the affirmative marketing program and the MassDOT M/WBE program.

"Executive director", the head of the supplier diversity office.

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business enterprise" or "LGBTBE", for the purpose of receipt of services from SDO means a business enterprise that is both owned and controlled by one or more LGBT individuals who have invested in an ongoing business free of conversion rights.

"MassDOT M/WBE Program", the Massachusetts Department of Transportation contract award process for horizontal construction projects using only state funding.

"Minority business enterprise" or "MBE", for the purpose of receipt of services from SDO, means a business enterprise that is owned and controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged persons. Such disadvantage may arise from cultural, racial, chronic economic circumstances or background or other similar cause. Such persons include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Western Hemisphere Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts.

"SDO", "Office", or "Supplier diversity office", the commonwealth's supplier diversity office as designated by section 58A and section 61. The office is the successor to the state office of minority and women business assistance.

"Secretariat", an executive office established pursuant to section 2 of chapter 6A and the agencies organized therein.

"Secretary", the secretary of administration and finance.

"Service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprise" or "SDVOBE", a business that is verified by the federal government's Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109-461, and determined to be a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern in accordance with 38 CFR Part 74 and Pub. L. 111-275.

"Small business purchasing program", the program in section 22O and established by executive order to support the existence and growth of small businesses by providing them with special consideration within the commonwealth's procurement process for goods and services required by state agencies.

"Supplier diversity program", a program to promote equality in, and to encourage the participation of, diverse businesses in procurements and contracts for goods and services as further defined by executive order.

"Veteran business enterprise" or "VBE", for the purpose of receipt of services from SDO means a business enterprise that is both owned and controlled by one or more veterans, as defined in section 7 of chapter 4, who has invested in an ongoing business free of conversion rights.

"Women business enterprise" or "WBE", for the purpose of receipt of services from SDO means a business enterprise that is both owned and controlled, by one or more women who have invested in an ongoing business free of conversion rights.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 7, § 58

Amended by Acts 2020, c. 262,§ 1, eff. 1/4/2021.
Amended by Acts 2011, c. 68,Secs.§17, §18 eff. 7/1/2011.