ElectriCities
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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:

to make gifts or to give favors to any officer or employee of a governmental agency who is charged with the duty of:

It shall also be unlawful for any officer or employee of the governmental agency who is charged with the duty of:

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.

Centralized Service Contracts   Contact   Phone

Infra-Red (Thermographic) Scanning

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
Infra-Red scanning helps reduce the potential for expensive repairs and outages by detecting "hot spots." Tests are conducted by an independent contractor.

Tree Trimming & Line Clearance

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
Tree trimming reduces the possibility of power surges and outages. An effective tree trimming program can help reduce losses.

Meter Testing

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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.

Aerial Device Testing

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
Testing of bucket trucks and other line equipment for structural and electrical integrity helps cities find small problems before they become big ones.

Relay Testing

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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.

Customer Audit Checks

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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.

Substation Maintenance

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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.
Joint Procurement   Contact   Phone

Wooden Utility Poles

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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.

Cable & Conductor

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
Being developed.

Transformers

  Clarice Wilson   Ext. 6293
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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Staff Listing

Gregg Welch

  Manager, Member Services   Ext. 6353

Clarice Wilson

  Procurement Specialist   Ext. 6293

 

 
 

Request for Proposal

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.