Streamlined Procurement to Help Municipalities with Infrastructure Upgrades and Economic Recovery
Save money and time by choosing a path to completing projects sooner
When considering the cost of projects, we all know that the longer the process takes to implement a project, the more it costs. Costs are realized in the form of staff time spent on long procurements, development of detailed specifications, contractor/material costs increasing with time and the list goes on. Seldom does a city have an alternative to this traditional approach. Roger Flud, Account Executive for Schneider Electric, comments that, “When you consider the monthly savings a program like this can create for a city, the time savings related to a streamlined process can equate to tens of thousands of dollars!” City budgets are strict, so when offered a faster and less expensive approach to implementing a project it warrants consideration.
Following a period of robust due diligence OML has partnered with Schneider Electric to offer their services to OML membership through the OMSC partnership program. When implementing projects using Title 62 O.S. § 318 (OSCN 2019) “Performance-Based Efficiency Contracts with Qualified Providers” cities can take advantage of legislative changes and move towards necessary improvements in a more efficient manner. This section of law allows for cities to negotiate improvements and the act serves as “the sole authority necessary to enter into performance-based efficiency contracts, without regard to compliance with other laws which may specify additional procedural requirements for execution of contracts.” Using this legislation, these upgrades can be addressed through funding mechanisms that require little to no capital outlay or in combination with other available funding sources, while also laying the groundwork for future project expansion
Municipalities have an alternative method to address needs throughout each area of city operations including: Remote read water metering gives municipalities the data they need to monitor, and potentially recover costs for unbilled water use, various opportunities exist in water and wastewater plants such as UV disinfection, aeration basin upgrades, pumping improvements, sludge drying/dewatering/disposal among others. Upgrades in other areas include building lighting, HVAC, building controls, street lighting and the list goes on. All these services are available through the OMSC partnership.
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy efficiency and with offices in the State of Oklahoma, offers a local presence important to OML and its membership. “OML is pleased to partner with Schneider Electric to offer sustainability solutions to our communities.” Mike Fina, Executive Director, Oklahoma Municipal League. Continuing, he further states, “Schneider Electric is rated as the number one ESCO firm in the world by Guidehouse Insights. We believe Schneider Electric will provide world class products and services to our membership.”
Finding a partner with expertise in innovative funding strategies and municipal operations is critical for cities to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure or buildings efficiency. With the right types of partners, municipalities can not only plan their budget to fund immediate improvement projects, but also extend that funding throughout the project by recognizing the savings generated.
For information about Schneider Electric, visit the OMSC Partner page on the OML website or contact Roger Flud from Schneider Electric directly at (918) 629-5687 or Email:roger.flud@SE.com