Archive for the ‘Information Technology’ Category

May 23, 2011 • 2:46pm in eBridge, Information Technology, Infrastructure, State Government 0

FCC’s Final USF Reform Workshop

A recent article from BroadbandBreakfast.com discusses the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) final workshop in a series devoted to the Universal Service Fund (USF). The goal of the fund is to help extend broadband service to uncovered areas across the United States. Workshop discussions included how and to whom funding will be appropriated. The FCC has proposed using reverse auctions to award financial assistance to broadband service-providing telco companies.

The reverse auction proposal would limit government funding to a single entity that would provide service to the entire service area. Providers would enter into an auction wherein the company that could provide the service with the lowest level of government funding would win.

What do you think? Should the FCC use reverse auction technology to award the contracts? Is this an appropriate item for the process?

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May 18, 2011 • 10:47am in eBridge, Information Technology, State Government 0

FCC Explores Reverse Auction in New Broadband Expansion

A recent article from Connected Planet Online outlines the Federal Communications Commission’s current exploration of potential methods to extend broadband internet access to the entire continental US, with a specific focus on under-served rural areas. The FCC plans to accomplish this broadband expansion by financially assisting selected private telecommunications companies in their endeavors to extend their services to rural areas that are not currently receiving broadband internet service.

The question is: which private telco companies will the FCC select?

Among the FCC’s most viable options in selecting telecommunications suppliers is the utilization of reverse auction to award contracts. The FCC could implement reverse auction services to create competitive pricing between companies and thus incentivize suppliers to extend their services at the lowest price possible by selecting to award the lowest bidding supplier with financial assistance.

There are, however, some significant obstacles to the reverse auction process’ successful implementation here. First, satellite-based internet suppliers would have a significant leg-up in the bidding process as their services require considerably less installation overhead than cable-based services. Should they still be allowed to compete in the bidding process? Second, AT&T and Verizon already have a significant amount of market-share and are most likely the favored suppliers going in, which leads us to the question of: will this bidding process further oust business from smaller, local telecommunications providers?

eBridge recommends that the FCC explore the viability of this purchase through reverse auction. While reverse auction can be an incredible tool, it may not be the perfect fit in this particular application. If some suppliers are more capable than others in fulfilling bid specifications, perhaps the FCC should table their use of reverse auction to a different project. eBridge takes leadership not only in the execution of the reverse auction process , but also in preliminary analysis to determine the viability of reverse auction in specific applications. Half the battle is finding the right fit for reverse auction to be successful.

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December 20, 2010 • 9:25am in City Government, Information Technology 0

California approves reverse auction renewable energy market

From Reuters Environmental Forum:

December 16, 2010- The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a unique reverse auction market to let renewable energy developers bid on small-scale projects under a program that would generate up to 1,000 megawatts for the state’s three big investor-owned utilities and further spur the solar industry.

Think of it as the eBay approach to ramping up production of carbon-free electricity.

The idea is to avoid problems with so-called feed-in-tariffs that set rates artificially high for renewable energy production. In Spain, for example, high rates spurred a solar building boom that was followed by a crash when a cap on renewable energy production was reached and rates fell.

Under the plan approved by California regulators, the onus would be on developers to calculate the cost of their projects and then offer a bid high enough to generate a profit yet low enough to beat out competitors. The 1,000 megawatts to be developed would be split between Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric.

At peak output, 1,000 megawatts would power about 750,000 homes.

“This mechanism would also allow the state to pay developers a price that is sufficient to bring projects online but that does not provide surplus profits at ratepayers’ expense,” utilities commission staff wrote in their original proposal. “Providing a clear and steady long-term investment signal rather than providing a pre-determined price can create a competitive market.”

Dubbed a reverse action mechanism by the utilities commission, the program applies to renewable energy projects that generate up to 20 megawatts of electricity. The hope is to encourage development of small-scale solar power plants that can be built relatively fast and plugged into the grid without major – and expensive – transmission upgrades.

Developers much complete their projects within 18 months and deploy commercially proven technology, according to the decision adopted Thursday.

Adam Browning, executive director of The Vote Solar Initiative, a non-profit San Francisco advocacy group, said the new program fills a gap in California’s renewable energy program.

The state offers incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar systems that generate up to 1.5 megawatts and utilities have signed contracts with developers to build big projects that will produce hundreds of megawatts each. Lost in the middle were mid-sized projects.

“The decision will help expedite solar development,” said Browning. “This is a way of harnessing the power of distributed generation to deliver a more robust grid and renewable energy development in a much more timely fashion.”

To view the original article, click here.

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September 23, 2010 • 12:11pm in eBridge, Event Summaries, Industrial Equipment, Information Technology, Medical Industry 1

Hospital System partners with eBridge on Reverse Auction for Medical Equipment

A large hospital system enlisted the expertise of eBridge Business Solutions to purchase new, state of the art radiology equipment for one of their hospitals, utilizing the reverse auction process.  The purchase included four line items along with installation costs. 

eBridge sourced five suppliers to participate in the event. 

During the course of the bid, the five suppliers placed a total of 52 bids.  The final low bids were 30% below the hospitals’ budget amount for this purchase and are poised to run several auctions for additional equipment before the end of the year.

eBridge purchasing professionals provided guidance to the hospitals’ purchasing staff throughout the process.  With the expertise and strong partnership with the innovative team of purchasers at the hospital, the event was a success and delivered bottom line savings to the hospital organization.

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August 2, 2010 • 10:00am in City Government, eBridge, Event Summaries, Information Technology 0

Let eBridge Save You

A city in Oklahoma left the end of their auction on Tuesday thrilled with eBridge’s results. Join the club we say! The items up for purchase were laptops and laptop docking stations. In the auction there were 88 total bids and 33 first place changes and eBridge saved the purchaser 2.71% off the city’s total budgeted price.

In the city’s last purchase of laptops, they paid $4200 per unit and on Tuesday they paid $3300 per unit. That is a 21.4% savings! Even more remarkable, they saved 43.7% from their last purchase of docking stations!

We strive to satisfy the buyers with the highest savings possible but not only are we saving our clients money we offer our top-notch expertise. If you’re interested in letting us sit on your side of the table you know where to find us!

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July 1, 2010 • 3:15pm in eBridge, Event Summaries, Information Technology, School District 0

Need a Laptop?

Have you bought any computers lately? Last Thursday a Michigan school system saved approximately 13.5% on their purchase. Combined there were a total of 52 personal computers to be purchased, both laptops and desktops.

eBridge brought 4 suppliers to the table. First place turned over nine times and the clock extended 22 times. This Michigan school system used our platform to save substantial funds that can now be used in other avenues.

You may not be in the market to purchase computers but our platform is far from limited. We’ve done anything from chickens to heavy equipment. So keep us bookmarked for any of your future purchases where savings is paramount.

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May 18, 2010 • 2:22pm in eBridge, Event Summaries, Information Technology, School District 0

West coast school district teams with BidBridge to save big through reverse auction

It’s no secret that school districts across the country are facing teacher layoffs, school closings and a decrease in extra-curricular programs due to severe budget cuts.

According to a recent article on AOL News, “California’s education budget was cut by $17 billion over the past two years and will be cut another $2.4 billion this year…and more than 23,500 pink slips have been handed out to school employees.”

But despite the gloomy headlines, one large school district is taking action. They have teamed with BidBridge to purchase several items including janitorial paper, craft supplies, game rugs and most recently an internet content filtering solution. With an average net savings of 14% on everything run through the process, examining your budget for items appropriate for the reverse auction process should be a no-brainer.

Event Summary: Internet Content Filtering Solution

During a recent event the seven suppliers placed bids on 5 line items comprising the content filtering solution. The contract is for three years.

First place changed hands 46 times and 546 bids were placed during the one hour 38 minute event.

Final price yielded 49% savings versus budget.

So next time you head read a headline about a school closing, see if they’re using reverse auctions. Who knows, it could mean a better education for your children and saved jobs.

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December 14, 2009 • 3:01pm in County Government, eBridge, Event Summaries, Higher Education, Information Technology 0

Georgia County Acquires Microsoft License Renewal through Reverse Auction Services

A large county in Georgia engaged BidBridge for the purchase of 2010 Microsoft Licenses for its software.

15 suppliers competed in the 49 minute event, yielding 164 total bids, 13 first place turnovers and 35 time extensions.

The final pricing yielded a 17% savings versus budget and against state contract price.

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September 18, 2009 • 4:06pm in County Government, eBridge, Event Summaries, Information Technology 0

County Education Board Purchases IT Equipment with BidBridge

In this county’s first event with BidBridge, 11 suppliers placed a total of 216 bids over the course of the 1 hour 39 minute bidding event. 

The competition between the 11 suppliers led to 146 time extensions and 121 first place turnovers. 

With a 14% savings versus budget and a 0.08% between first and second place, the county can feel confident it received true market value for the HP ProCurve Switches.

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August 3, 2009 • 2:32pm in City Government, Information Technology, Press Releases 0

Tenth BidBridge-Broken Arrow Event Saves 27 Percent against Budget for Electronic Ticket Writers

City in Oklahoma Plans to Use Residual Funds to Purchase More Electronic Equipment for Police Force

 Broken Arrow, OK - (7/28/09) – When the City of Broken Arrow, OK recognized the need to equip its police force with electronic ticket writers; there was no doubt in purchasing manager Pat Harrison’s mind that the city would be working with Louisville-based BidBridge, an eProcurement services provider for the public and private sectors, to obtain the devices.

In the past, Broken Arrow had collaborated with BidBridge on several successful bids, including trash bags, an excavator and a rotary mower. In order to help the city attain market value for goods and services, BidBridge facilitates a secure, real-time electronic sealed bid platform that allows suppliers to place multiple bids, replacing the public sector’s traditional process of a one price per supplier response.

The electronic ticket writers the city wanted to purchase would enable police officers to scan the back of an offender’s driver’s license, rather than manually writing down the offender’s information. Procurement of the devices would promote efficiency and expedite the ticket-writing process.

On June 30, the tenth BidBridge-Broken Arrow bid event took place between four suppliers, lasting 37 minutes and logging 46 total bids, 16 time extensions and five first place turnovers. At the conclusion of the event, Broken Arrow saved 27 percent against budget, with a .39 percent gap between first and second place indicating they received market value.

“Our original pricing research for the project returned quotes as high as $240,000, so we amended our budget for the project to reflect that. With BidBridge, the City of Broken Arrow was able to secure a low bid of $174,000,” said Harrison. “Now, we’ll be able to allocate residual funds towards other projects that were put on the shelf due to compressed budgets, including more electronic equipment to keep our police force technologically efficient.”

Peter Langlois, BidBridge Director of Operations, commented: “Broken Arrow’s repeated success is a strong indicator that the BidBridge model is instrumental in saving taxpayer dollars, and we look forward to our continued relationship for future bids.”

BidBridge provides adherence to crucial stimulus spending factors like promoting competition and transparency through audit trails. For more information on how BidBridge is helping local governments, please visit: www.bidbridge.com.

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