Supplier Registration System www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers A guide for Suppliers
www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers 03 ONE WAY OF WORKING We are keen to introduce one way of working in procurement, making it easier for us to procure the goods and services you provide, and for you to supply to us. Ian Marchant Chief Executive, SSE SSE is committed to maximising the benefits and opportunities for local businesses and communities, by providing you with visibility to the entire business and thus, widening contracting opportunities to you. The UK s energy infrastructure is hugely significant and will continue for many years. The launch of our Supplier Registration System is a big milestone for us and you in improving the way we work together using one consistent process that will benefit all.
04 www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers Our purpose is to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way. Our strategy is to deliver sustained real growth in the dividend through the efficient operation of, and investment in, a balanced range of market-based and economicallyregulated businesses. Our activities include energy production, storage, distribution, supply and related services. SSE is a leading electricity and gas company, operating mainly in the UK and Ireland. We have: over 11,000 megawatts of capacity for generating electricity in power stations, hydro electric schemes and wind farms; around 10 million customer accounts for electricity, gas and other home services; around 128,000km of overhead electricity lines and underground cables, delivering power to around 3.5 million homes, offices and businesses; a 50% share of Scotia Gas Networks, which has around 73,000km of pipelines delivering gas to around 5.7 million homes, offices and businesses; the UK s largest onshore gas storage facility; the UK s second largest mechanical and electrical contracting business; and the UK s fourth largest telecoms network company. This means we are the broadest based energy company in the UK, with interests in electricity and gas production, electricity and gas distribution, electricity and gas supply and electricity and gas services.
www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers 05 We trade under a number of different names The procurement purpose... is to procure goods and services to meet business objectives while contributing to the Group s sustainable growth in profits. We will continue to apply best value and prudence to support our growth plans within new and changing markets. We aim to provide a leading utility procurement service. One way We are introducing one process to register supplier information. We want to simplify things for our suppliers and give you one way of working with a clear way to explain what we expect from a safe and responsible supply chain. To achieve this, we have partnered with Achilles Information Ltd (Achilles). Achilles has developed a solution called Supplier Registration System (SRS). This means we offer our own supplier portal, where suppliers can manage their organisation s details from one secure location 24/7. If you successfully register on the SRS, this does not guarantee that we will invite you to quote for any particular requirement or award you any business. However, it does mean that your information is visible to us so that we can consider you for business opportunities.
06 www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers Register your organisation The registration process is split into three steps and all suppliers need to complete Step 1. The number of subsequent steps you need to complete is determined by the assessment criteria which is set out by SSE as important. To become a registered supplier to SSE, you need to visit www.sse.com/ PotentialSuppliers and follow the online instructions. Step 1: Register All suppliers, including those who are already members of Achilles buying communities (FPAL/Supply-Line/UVDB), and suppliers who have recently tendered for business with SSE, will need to complete the initial online questionnaire. Step 1 registration will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete. If your company profile is identified by the system as low risk, you will not be required to take any further action. Details you will need for Step 1: Register We will ask you to provide: Details of primary contact in your organisation VAT number & company registration number Financial Information including year end accounts, turnover, number of employees information about your basic capabilities, products and/or services offered, region of supply, carbon reduction and corporate responsibility policy For further information, contact the dedicated SSE team at Achilles on +44 (0)1235 838058 or email sse@achilles.com
www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers 07 SSE SRS is a dedicated web portal to give you one way of working with SSE procurement SRS Portal
08 www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers Step 2: Company Profile If your company profile is not identified as low risk, you will receive notification from Achilles asking you to continue with your registration onto the UVDB. This involves the payment of an annual subscription fee and you will need to submit information and certificates related to finance, health and safety, quality management, insurance, products and services, region of supply and legal information. On receipt of your application form and payment, Achilles will issue you with a username and password, together with the necessary information to get you started on the questionnaire. The UVDB is used by 42 Utility buying organisations and provides a method of sourcing suppliers and contractors in compliance with EU regulations and guidelines. The UVDB provides a single source for the management of supplier information and reduces the administrative workload for both the supplier and the buying organisation. Buying organisations have access to a wider market while suppliers have a greater opportunity to contracting opportunities. Therefore, registering with the UVDB will: Step 3: Assessment Depending upon your company s risk rating, you may also be required to undertake a further Verify assessment of your company s health, safety, quality and environment procedures. The Verify assessment will require a further annual subscription fee. Verify is a Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) assessment and comes in different levels. The level of assessment will depend on a number of factors which include the nature of the products or services being offered, company turnover and number of employees. Verify Category A - specifically tailored for small to medium enterprises with a turnover of less than 3m Verify Category B1 - contractor on operational sites owned by the utilities and employ less than 20 staff or sub-contractors Verify Category B2 - contractor who works on operational sites owned by the utilities and employ more than 20 staff or sub-contractors. Save time and money through completion of a single questionnaire provide opportunities to be considered for a variety of contracts with existing and new buying organisations allow you to maintain your company profile 24/7 receive dedicated support from the UVDB teams at all stages of your registration
www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers 09 How the UVDB works When a company registers on UVDB, you are given a username and password to access a questionnaire online. By completing the questionnaire, you will be able to demonstrate your capabilities and market these to a wide range of buying organisations. The questionnaire has been designed by the buying organisations, covering company resources and capabilities, to arrive at a manageable and appropriate tender list. How the buyers use the UVDB system When a buyer has a requirement, they will search for suitable companies by the relevant product/service/works codes. They may then apply further criteria to refine the tender list and/or they may use e-qual to ask contract-specific questions. Who are Achilles? SSE and Achilles have worked closely for the last 10 years. SSE has played an instrumental role in the development of the products that Achilles provide including the UVDB which has changed significantly in the last five years. Achilles builds unique systems that span a number of industry sectors, so organisations can manage their supply chains effectively, reducing risk and improving data quality and consistency. In the case of the Utility sector, this includes organisations such as National Grid, ScottishPower, E-ON, EDF, United Utilities, Seven Trent Water, Yorkshire Water and Northern Power Grid. e-qual Following an initial search on UVDB, e-qual allows buyers to ask additional contractspecific questions. When the buyer uses e-qual, you will be notified via email to log on to www.achilles.com where the questions can be answered online and submitted back to the buyer.
10 www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers Frequently Asked Questions Why is SSE implementing this? SSE has worked with Achilles to develop a Supplier Registration System that gives us the visibility of our existing and potential suppliers across all our different businesses and different locations. We can use the information to identify suppliers for the products and services we want to buy understand the potential risks of doing business with suppliers What do I have to do? We are asking all our suppliers to register. This will enable you to become registered to work with SSE or continue to do business with us. What is the registration process? If you are currently doing business with SSE, you will receive an invitation letter or email along with this brochure which explains the process. The process has two stages Registration and Subscription. The products or services you offer will determine what you do next. Achilles will always be there to provide the support that you may need during the process. How much will it cost? There is no charge for the initial registration. If you are required to join UVDB/Verify the fees will depend on your company profile. Achilles will assist you throughout the process. What is the deadline? We are asking that you complete registration within 6 weeks from the date of the invitation. How will this benefit me? UVDB will help your company to avoid duplication of effort and save time as it is used by other major Utility buyers and thus, remove the need to provide data multiple times. It will also give your company greater visibility by making your company information available to all SSE procurement functions and those of other UVDB buyers. The UVDB is used by 42 Utility buying organisations in the UK. What support is available? Should you need further information, please call the dedicated SSE team at Achilles on +44 (0)1235 838058 or email sse@achilles.com
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www.sse.com/potentialsuppliers