During the procurement process it is the aim of PFB to get to tender with minimal assistance from our clients. We are experienced at dealing with large multisite portfolios and understand what is required for the relationship between PFB and the client to work effectively. It is the aim of PFB to provide an efficient cost-effective personalised service. We are not a large corporate company and achieve better prices by using an aggregating platform. This allows us as, Independent Brokers, to achieve greater buying power in the marketplace.
- MPAN/MPRN number
- Current supplier
- Current billing responsibility (account holder)
In our experience, the best way to collect this information is by obtaining a current invoice for each meter. The bill contains all the above information along with other vital information.
This is also an opportunity to ensure that each invoice is being sent to the correct or desired correspondence address, and that the company named on the invoice are the entity liable for payment. This information will be presented to you on a meaningful spreadsheet, and any anomalies discussed with you.
Should any of this data need to be changed, then it can be done at this stage and the necessary amendments relayed to the respective suppliers. It may well mean that some change of tenancies/ownerships will need to be processed, which PFB will do on our client’s behalf.
Once all the accounts have been put into the correct names, we will need a signed LOA to enable further information to be gathered from the suppliers. This will facilitate the correct facts to be presented as a bespoke group portfolio tender to the energy markets.
- Estimated annual consumption
- Contract end dates
- Current Rates
- Whether an AMR meter is installed
- Half Hourly Data (Half Hourly electricity meters)
- KVA rating (Half Hourly electricity meters)
- Who is the Data Collector/Data Aggregator/Meter Operator (Half Hourly electric meters)
- Whether the electricity meter is Current Transformer or Whole Current
- Any other relevant information
A credit check will also be completed prior to tender as potential suppliers will need access to this to offer (or not offer) a contract based on the credit scoring. PFB will send the requisite termination notices to the suppliers of each meter. This will ensure that the supplies will be available for transfer at the end of the existing contract. No termination periods will then have to be served and this will ensure that no meters will go onto more expensive out of contract rates. At this point, the portfolio will be ready to present for tender.
As prices change daily, a mutually convenient date will be arranged for the suppliers to tender for your business. On this day, the best offers will be presented for your consideration and the most suitable contract signed with your favoured supplier.
- There will be no ‘Pass Through’ charges and the contract will be totally fixed for the duration
- There will be no ‘Take or Pay’ clauses. This will ensure that there are any no fees attached should the consumption be below or above the estimated usage over the contract period
- The terms of payment adhere to your specific requirements (payment days & type DD, BACS or cash/cheque)
Our advice would be to request a common end date for all the sites and offer the portfolio in entirety, for each supplier to price. The way this works would be that as sites finish on their existing contracts, they would automatically transfer onto the prearranged new contract, having the same end date as all the other meters. There will be contracts of all differing lengths (e.g. 27mths, 13mths, 3mths etc), but all having a common definitive end date. This will also have the benefit of securing future forward contracts at current price levels. In a continually rising marketplace, this would be a prudent decision.
Going forward, this will enable much easier management of the utility accounts, with the client not having to engage in the process of arranging new contracts for different sites throughout the year. When new sites are added, they will be added to the portfolio also with the same finish date.
If your company has a focus on sustainability and the environment, it may be that you wish to choose a 100% green tariff. This can be accommodated but will normally carry a premium. A compromise would be to invite offers from companies which have a larger percentage of renewable energy and lower carbon emissions in the composition of their supply.
PFB’s involvement will not stop once the contracts are agreed with the supplier of your choice. The meters will be monitored to ensure they are transferred on the correct dates. Often there are objections to the transfer by the existing supplier due to there being reasons such as debt on the account. It is in the incumbent supplier’s DNA to resist the transfer by any means possible!
Dependent upon the company that wins the tender, it will be requested that a portal is set up, so that all accounts (even if under different names) can be accessed under one login. Current and historical bills should then be available to you, as well as other data relating to the various meters.
Next time the portfolio is ready for tender, all meters will have the same start and end date, all the information required for tender will be available from the incumbent supplier, and the process will be considerably easier.
A monthly spreadsheet will be sent to you showing all energy accounts. Any adjustments during the month will have been added to the file. This may be the new suppliers account numbers as meters go live or additional site information.
Continual overseeing of the accounts will also encompass trying to fast track all meters to become AMR compliant smart meters. In the future, this will ensure that bills are accurate and not estimated allowing better cash flow forecasting. This should also mean less time is spent having to reconcile invoices as readings will be accurate not estimated.
With a multisite business many issues occur such as meters needing to be fitted to a new site, or the supplier of a premises may not be known. Help with this is at hand. All sorts of confusion can happen regarding invoices and metering, PFB’s assistance with such matters will always be at hand.
Half Hourly meters can also be complex. There are numerous charges which can be imposed. PFB will request data from the various District Network Operators to assess allocated capacity against actual peak usage. It may be that some adjustments need to be made to the existing agreed capacity levels to either reduce costs, or to ensure penalties are not incurred.
PFB act as energy consultants for many different types of SME business. It does not mater how large or small your company may be, we are happy to assist in providing the advice to enable you to choose the most suitable supplier and contract to suit your specific needs.
During the procurement process it is the aim of PFB to get to tender with the smallest assistance (and hence disruption) from our clients as possible.
We have 10 years of experience in the energy industry and understand what is required for the relationship between PFB and the client to work effectively. It is the aim of PFB to provide an efficient cost-effective personalised service. We are not a large corporate company, however, the ability to achieve the best pricing for your business is not an issue. We tender through an aggregating platform which allows many independent Brokers, such as ourselves, to achieve massive buying power in the marketplace.
The best way to collect the information required to help assess your requirements is by obtaining a current supplier invoice for any sites you wish to price. The bill contains most of the information needed to gather the information for tender.
We will need a signed LOA to enable further information to be gathered from the suppliers.
- Estimated annual consumption
- Contract end dates
- Current Rates
- Whether an AMR meter is installed
- Half Hourly Data (Half Hourly electric meters)
- KVA rating (Half Hourly electric meters)
- Who is the Data Collector/Data Aggregator/Meter Operator (Half Hourly electric meters)
- Whether the electricity meter is Current transformer or Whole current
- Any other relevant information
A credit check will also be completed prior to tender as potential suppliers will need access to this to offer (or not offer) a contract based on the credit scoring.
PFB will send the requisite termination notices to the suppliers of each meter. This will ensure that the supplies will be available for transfer at the end of the existing contract. No termination periods will then have to be served and this will ensure that no meters will go onto more expensive out of contract rates.
At this point, the supplies will be ready to present for tender.
As prices change daily, a mutually convenient date will be arranged for the suppliers to tender for your business. On this day, the best offers will be presented for your consideration and the most suitable contract signed with your favoured supplier.
- There will be no ‘Pass Through’ charges and the contract will be totally fixed for the duration
- There will be no ‘Take or Pay’ clauses. This will ensure that there are any no fees attached should the consumption be below or above the estimated usage over the contract period
- The terms of payment adhere to your specific requirements (payment days & type DD, BACS or cash/cheque)
PFB’s involvement will not stop once the contracts are agreed with the supplier of your choice. The meters will be monitored to ensure they are transferred on the correct dates. Often there are objections to the transfer by the existing supplier due to there being reasons such as debt on the account. It is in the incumbent supplier’s DNA to resist the transfer by any means possible!
We are not just procurement specialists who’s aim is solely to achieve the best energy prices for your business. Reducing energy costs can still be achieved post contract, and we will endeavour to continue to provide support in achieving this. PFB will assist with any queries which you may encounter during the term of the contract and rectify any problems you may experience with suppliers regarding administration of the account.
Business Water Procurement
On 1st April 2017, a new commercial retail market was introduced to increase competition in the water industry.
More business customers can now choose their water and wastewater retailer
All business customers served by water companies based wholly or mainly in England, can switch retailer for water and wastewater services, rather than be confined to their local water company.
When the water markets first became deregulated the cost savings in switching supplier were minimal. However, now, due to direct competition and market forces in operation, we are now seeing that there are significant differences in price between the many suppliers. The water is the same product whoever who you purchase it from, just the administration of the account changes.
The process for providing quotes is much the same as with energy procurement. PFB will collect information from your company’s water invoices, audit the account, and tender the supply to the water markets to achieve the best prices in the marketplace for your business.
Client Support Services
Bill Validation
We examine supplier invoices for any errors in charges
Contract Termination
We Issue termination notices to suppliers to avoid rollover onto higher charges
Market Report
We provide Supplier comparison reports
Hidden Costs
We check contracts for hidden costs such as pass through charges and volume tolerance penalties
Contract Certification
We check the supplier contract for contentious small print
Future Contracts
We can arrange future dated contracts hedging against market fluctuations
Supplier Locator
We can find out who supplies your meter
MPAN Locator
We can find out which local operator is responsible for ensuring a supply to your premises
Vacant Properties
We can source low standing charge contracts reducing costs whilst your property is empty
VAT Reduction
We check VAT being charged is correct and arrange rebates. VAT is business type and usage dependent
Climate Change Levy
We investigate whether your site should be subject to this
Energy Ombudsman
We resolve difficult invoicing disputes by referrals to The Energy Ombudsman
Available Capacity
We liaise with your network operator to set the appropriate level of KVA for your meter
Meter Operator Charges
We source the best MOP/DC/DA contracts for your business
Tenancy Changes
We ensure suppliers are advised of Change of Tenancies to ensure smooth transfers
Landlord Supplies
We manage Landlord Portfolios
Unknown Supplier
We find out who supplies your meter and negotiate rates
Green Energy
We can provide 100% Green tariffs