Code of Massachusetts Regulations
815 CMR - COMPTROLLER'S DIVISION
Title 815 CMR 3.00 - Ready Payment System
Section 3.02 - Definitions

Base Payments. The computed recurring payment amount to be disbursed on a semi-monthly, bi-weekly, weekly or other regular interval, to a Contractor in accordance with 815 CMR 3.00 and the terms and conditions of a Contract executed by the Contractor and a Department.

Contract. For the purpose of 815 CMR 3.00, a legally enforceable agreement executed by a Department and a Contractor in accordance with all relevant general and special laws and regulations.

Contractor. A corporation, individual, partnership or other entity engaged in the business of supplying social, educational or rehabilitative services. For the purpose of 815 CMR 3.00 "eligible organizations" and "providers" as referenced in M.G.L. c. 29, § 23A shall be referred to as "Contractors".

Department. All Departments of the State, including offices, boards, commissions or institutions of the Executive Department, the institutions of Higher Education, the Judicial and Legislative Branches and the Constitutional offices. Departments are recognized in the Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System (MMARS).

Department Head. The head of any Department, including the secretary of an Executive Office when the secretary is exercising authority over an executive office as a Department head.

Expenditure Classification Handbook. A schedule of subsidiaries and object codes issued by the Office of the Comptroller and authorized by M.G.L. c. 29, § 7 to be used in accounting for all authorized pre-encumbrances, encumbrances and expenditures. The Expenditure Classification Handbook identifies the object codes that may be appropriate for use of the Ready Payment System for Contract payments. Discrepancies as to the appropriate subsidiary or object code for a Contract shall be determined by the Office of the Comptroller

Fiscal Year. The period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30th of each year, as defined by M.G.L. c. 4, § 7.

MMARS. The Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System established by the Office of the Comptroller pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7A, § 7.

Office of the Comptroller. The Department established by M.G.L. c. 7A whose responsibilities include the design and system implementation of the Ready Payment System on MMARS.

Provider. A corporation, individual, partnership or other entity engaged in the business of supplying social, educational or rehabilitative services. For the purpose of 815 CMR 3.00, "eligible organizations" and "providers" as referenced in M.G.L. c. 29, § 23A shall be referred to as "Contractors".

Ready Payment System. An alternative payment mechanism in MMARS that enables a Department to make predictable and recurring contract payments to providers of social, educational and rehabilitative services. The Ready Payment System is appropriate for social, educational and rehabilitative service contracts which have a predictable, recurrent and regular service delivery schedule.

Secretariat. Any of the executive offices established by M.G.L. c. 6A or c. 7, including any Department, agency, office, board, commission or institution or other entity within an executive office. For the purposes of 815 CMR 3.00, "Secretariat" shall have the same meaning as "Executive Office".

Services. Social, educational and rehabilitative services which have a predictable, recurrent and regular service delivery schedule. Services are provided under a Contract with a Department of the State for a program, or a component of a program, for the benefit of the Department's clients. Services may include, but are not limited to, residential, housing and homelessness prevention, child care, day activity, employment and training, case management, counseling, homemaker, family planning, family support and protective services, alcohol and substance abuse education, referral and treatment, student and client transportation programs and other educational service programs. The Expenditure Classification Handbook issued by the Office of the Comptroller identifies the expenditure object codes that may be appropriate for use of the Ready Payment System for Contract payments. Discrepancies as to the appropriate subsidiary or object code for a Contract shall be determined by the Office of the Comptroller.

State. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.