To further benefit members, in-house staff has developed an innovative user-friendly software program to make the Fuel Program bidding process faster and more efficient. The creation of the MPO bid software allowed staff to respond to the tightened time requirements of a volatile energy market by eliminating the need for manual manipulation and evaluation of bids. In a typical Fuel Program RFP response MPO receives 1,200 bids, which are evaluated by MPO. The analysis is then provided to members with commitments returned to MPO and in turn to suppliers, all within a 7-hour period.
Suppliers who choose to use the software simply enter their pricing information into the software and submit a bid report to MPO as an e-mail attachment. Suppliers are able to use the software to streamline their bidding efforts by custom selecting members by name, city, county, or fuel type. The streamlined electronic process allows suppliers to prepare bids closer to the submission deadline, minimizing their market exposure. Members benefit from the shortened bid handling process by gaining additional time to evaluate bids and return commitments.
For more information concerning the RFP process and software please contact Maine PowerOptions at (207) 621-0744 or toll free (877) 852-3332.