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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the site?
A: EfficientUtilities will connect utilities, contractors,
and consultants with distributors, manufacturers and manufacturer
representatives.
The
technology of the site also works to automate and enhance the
purchase process for utilities. Additionally, it provides a new,
effective and inexpensive marketing opportunity for Providers.
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Q: How will Buyers use the site?
A: Utilities and other buyers, such as contractors and
operations/maintenance firms, can use EfficientUtilities to:
- Electronically route purchase requests for approval.
- Establish your own list of current or pre-qualified Providers of products and services.
- Search for and compare new Providers (to include local, woman-owned, or minority-owned businesses) from a comprehensive Provider database when needed.
- Create a Request For Quote (RFQ) or Request For Proposal (RFP).
- Attach specifications or other important information to RFQ or RFP.
- Electronically send an RFQ or RFP to selected Providers in a secure and confidential environment.
- Archive, retrieve, and alter previously created requisitions, RFQs, and RFPs.
- Receive electronic responses to your RFQs & RFPs from Providers.
- Additional options include integration into your ERP or financial information system, allowing for electronic purchase order generation and distribution, and invoice payment.
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Q: How will Providers use the site?
A: Registered Providers of products and services, to include manufacturers,
manufacturers' representatives, distributors and consultants, can use
EfficientUtilities to:
- Gain Additional Access to Utilities and other buyers:
- List your company and "Provider Profile" in the easily
accessible EfficientUtilities database of product and service
Providers for the utility industry.
- Allow buyers to source your company by product or service
category, company locations, and corporate distinction
(local, woman-owned, or minority-owned businesses, etc.)
- Market Your Company, Products and/or Services:
- Provide buyers with online information on your company, products, services and qualifications through your "Provider Profile".
- Drive additional traffic to your existing website.
- Post Press Releases to promote your company, products or services.
- Receive RFQs and RFPs from:
- Your current utilities and other buyers that select your company from the EfficientUtilities database and/or from the "My Providers" listings that individual buyers create.
- New/prospective buyers that source your company based on your "Provider Profile".
- Personalized bid alerts that you will receive from the EfficientUtilities Bid-Stream™ service, a program that tracks down hard-to-find public bid opportunities.
- Bid on Products and Services:
- Respond to electronic RFQs & RFPs sent directly from Utilities & Buyers.
- Electronically create, send, and archive your bids and proposals.
- Attach product specifications, company information or other important information to bids.
- Respond to Public Bid opportunities from EfficientUtilities Bid-Stream™ service.
- Improve Efficiency:
- Receive and respond to solicitations through your existing e-mail system to expedite the payment cycle through direct integration to the buyer's accounting system.
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Q: What are the benefits to Buyers?
A: EfficientUtilities benefits Utilities and Buyers by reducing the time
and effort required to procure products and services. Processes can be streamlined
through electronic means, eliminating the need for time and money wasting paper
methods. In fact, the information technology platform being used to develop
EfficientUtilities has produced procurement activity savings ranging from
22% to 55% for six of the 10 largest environmental engineering firms.
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Q: What are the benefits to Providers?
A: With input from utility product and service Providers, EfficientUtilities
is developing a suite of online tools and services to help Providers increase
revenue, decrease transaction costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
EfficientUtilities substantially reduces the need to rely on phone calls,
voice mails, and faxes. Registered Providers can automatically route a
request for information or an RFQ/RFP to the right contact who can then
respond quickly to the prospective buyer. All Registered Providers can
electronically create, send, and archive bids as well as attach any
valuable product, service, or other information that will help
distinguish your offering from the competition. In addition, when a
Provider provides a bid, only the utility or contractor who requested
the bid will receive it because the site will maintain strict privacy
and security for all participants.
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Q: How is EfficientUtilities different from other procurement web sites?
A: EfficientUtilities has been designed by and for professionals in the
water field – buyers and sellers of products and professional services. The
site enhances the efficiency of the procurement process and its participants
without charging any internet-based "brokerage" or transaction fees. The prices
that buyers get today will continue to be privately set between the Utility and
Provider. It is a neutral site that protects the interest of both Utilities and
Providers while making the procurement process easier, faster, and more cost
effective.
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Q: How can I learn more or get involved with EfficientUtilities?
A: To learn more or to become involved with EfficientUtilities, please contact us. We collect and keep all feedback and will get back with replies ASAP.
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