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ElectriCities'
Member Services department helps member cities capture the economies
of scale and scope by working together in groups and/or regions.
Our staff provides centralized contract services to the member cities
to increase the life and operating efficiencies of their electric
distribution systems. We also provide them the opportunity to cooperatively
bid their material requirements annually to realize cost savings
and improved delivery lead-time.
Member Services also provides
training opportunities to employees of member cities through instructor-led
workshops, seminars and other events.
ElectriCities maintains a vast array of training video resources
that are available for use by its members. For more information
visit the Library Resources page
in our Member Pages section, or
contact Robby
Humphreys at 1-800-768-7697, ext. 6102. Additional video training
resources are available through the Marketing
department (contact Robbie
Tugwell at ext. 6364).
Doing Business with ElectriCities, Member Services Department
ElectriCities' Member Services Department contracts for services and
materials on behalf of its member municipalities when economics of
scale would result in savings by bidding as a group rather than individually.
Member Services provides administrative assistance, but the municipalities
interact with the vendors directly once a contract is executed. Member
Services will assist to resolve any misunderstandings between the
municipality and the vendor or when the level of service or products
is not as it was represented during the bidding process.
Initial Contact with ElectriCities
Normal business hours at ElectriCities are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through
Friday. Because our work is serving our members, the staff of the
Member Services Department is often in other cities and towns. For
that reason it would be best to call and set up an appointment to
ensure you do not miss us and an opportunity to present your products
or services.
Application for Placement on Potential Bidders'
List
Vendors wishing to be placed on ElectriCities "Potential Bidders
List" are requested to come by the office of ElectriCities, Member
Services Department, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm to pick up
an application and information booklet to apply by mail, or telephone
(919) 760-6293. Complete the Vendor Application and return it, along
with any additional literature you wish to present, to the Manager
Member Services, 1427 Meadowwood Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27604. Your
application will be placed in the appropriate category or categories
for future reference. A vendor who is unable to visit our office can
complete a Vendor Application
online and the information package will be mailed to them upon receipt
of the application.
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Gifts and Favors Prohibited
The North Carolina General Statutes, 133-32, makes it unlawful for
any contractor, subcontractor, or supplier who:
- has a contract with a governmental agency; or
- has performed under such a contract within the past year; or
- anticipates bidding on such a contract in the future
to make gifts or to give
favors to any officer or employee of a governmental agency who is
charged with the duty of:
- preparing plans, specifications, or estimates for public contract;
or
- awarding or administering public contracts; or
- inspecting or supervising construction.
It shall also be unlawful
for any officer or employee of the governmental agency who is charged
with the duty of:
- preparing plans, specifications, or estimates for public contract;
or
- awarding or administering public contracts; or
- inspecting or supervising construction
willfully to receive or
accept any such gift or favor.
The employees of ElectriCities'
Member Services Department will adhere to the law and no gifts or
favors will be accepted from any vendor. Vendors are requested to
abide by this policy if they wish to be considered for opportunities
to bid on contracts.
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Bidding Procedures
Specific bidding procedures are established by the North Carolina
General Statutes and municipal governments are required to follow
them. ElectriCities will adhere to the laws and provide for the uniform
treatment of all vendors. It is important that each vendor be familiar
with these requirements and follow them. Please feel free to contact
our staff if you have any questions about bidding procedures.
Decision to Bid
Pursuant to 160-460 et seq. of the General Statutes of North Carolina,
the participating municipalities who wish to join together to bid
as a group advise ElectriCities of their desire and enlist them
to solicit and receive bids on their behalf. Once authorized by
the municipals to act on their behalf, ElectriCities gathers all
necessary information to prepare the necessary bid packages, legal
advertisements, bid tabulation sheets, Acceptance Notice forms,
and contract documents.
Bids are available for
inspection in the offices of Member Services once a contract has
been awarded. A request to see the bids should be made to the Manager
Member Services 24 hours prior to your visit to ensure someone is
available to meet with you and answer any questions you may have.
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Centralized Services
ElectriCities offers member cities Centralized Service Contracts for
the following categories. For more information about these contracts,
call or email the contact person.
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| Infra-Red scanning helps reduce the potential
for expensive repairs and outages by detecting "hot spots."
Tests are conducted by an independent contractor. |
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| Tree trimming reduces the possibility of
power surges and outages. An effective tree trimming program
can help reduce losses. |
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| Recover lost revenues by checking for meter
accuracy. This service offers assistance to members that test
their own meters and also offers full testing options for a
turnkey testing program. |
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| Testing of bucket trucks and other line
equipment for structural and electrical integrity helps cities
find small problems before they become big ones. |
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| Protective relays are applied to electrical
distribution systems to monitor conditions on feeders, generators,
transformers, and motors and to isolate these components of
the overall system when abnormal conditions occur. Protective
relay testing is performed to ensure the relays retain their
desired operating characteristics. |
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| Provides assistance to members with customer
credit checks. This service enables members to track and collect
bad debt and helps protect against lost utility revenue. |
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| Members are encouraged to have a thorough
substation maintenance check every two to three years. Maintenance
should include testing dielectric strength and acidity level
of insulating oils, inspecting breaker contact wear, verifying
proper equipment operation, etc. This service is provided by
and independent contractor. |
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| ElectriCities has coordinated a joint purchase
for wood poles. Annual contracts establish firm delivered price
for each city electing to participate. Poles are 100% tested
with a 15 degree slope on the top. Poles under contract carry
a ten year warranty from the inspection company. |
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| Being developed. |
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| Being developed. |
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Other Services
Emergency Assistance Program
The Emergency Assistance Program takes advantage of our municipalities'
hometown connections during emergencies. Cities help each other in
times of disaster by providing manpower, equipment, and communications
support by working with the State Highway Patrol, CSX Railway, energy
suppliers, and fire and rescue squads. The Emergency Assistance Program
Manual includes a list of alternate and assistant coordinators for
east and west regions, an explanation of how to begin the emergency
response system, maps that list the physical address and location
of the municipalities' operation center, and a storm damage restoration
guide. For more information contact Clarice Wilson, Procurement Specialist,
at ext. 6293.
Customer Credit Checks
Providing assistance to members with customer credit check, this
service enables members to track and collect bad debt and helps
protect against lost utility revenue. Service provided by independent
contractor. For more information contact Clarice Wilson, Procurement
Specialist, at ext. 6293.
Training
Member Services provides ongoing training to ElectriCities members.
Click here
for a list of current classes. Have a need for something else? Member
Services will work with your organization to assess needs and build
a custom solution. Click here
for our customized classes brochure.
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Gregg Welch |
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Manager, Member Services |
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Ext. 6353 |
Clarice Wilson |
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Procurement Specialist |
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Ext. 6293 |
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Proposals for tree trimming and line clearing services will be received for
review by ElectriCities of N.C., Inc. at 1427 Meadowwood Blvd, Raleigh, N.C.
on behalf of its member municipalities throughout North Carolina until 5:00
PM, October 18, 2004.
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