(A) Competitive sourcing. The village will select a supplier for the aggregation through a competitive solicitation process. The selection will be based on the best value to the aggregation and not simply best price.
(B) Bidding process structure. The village, working in cooperation with the consultant, shall develop a request for proposals containing the terms and conditions required in this Plan of Operation and Governance. The solicitation process will be conducted in accordance with all applicable state and local laws and village acceptance of bidding practices and protocols.
(C) Village authority. The corporate authorities of the village will retain the full and absolute right to accept, accept with conditions, or reject any proposal. The village may, but is not required to, select a supplier to provide an energy power supply for the Aggregation Program according to the terms of this Plan. If the village does not select a supplier, the village will notify the aggregation members that their electricity will continue to be provided through the Ameren default tariff service.
(D) Pricing.
(1) Bidders will submit a single fixed total $/kWh rate to be charged to provide full requirements electricity supply, capacity, transmission, and ancillary services to aggregation member. The village’s intent in soliciting the proposals is to provide residents with delivered electricity prices that are always less than Ameren’s applicable rates.
(2) As such, bidders must commit to a rate that is below the price to compare in all periods of the agreement. In the event the price to compare is less than the supplier’s rate, then the supplier will have the option of:
(a) Reduction. Reducing the agreement fixed price to a rate at least equal to the price to compare;
(b) Transfer to Ameren. Transferring Program accounts to default tariff service at the discretion of the village; or
(c) Transfer to another supplier. Transferring Program accounts to another ARES at the discretion of the village.
(E) Supply options.
(1) Pricing options for at least the following supply options will be sought through the solicitation.
(a) Lowest community price mix. Electricity supply that includes the minimum level of renewable energy resources for the entire aggregation portfolio as required by the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.
(b) Enhanced community renewable energy mix. Electricity supply that includes volumes of renewable energy credits (RECs) in excess of the minimum level of renewable energy resources required by the State of Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard for the entire aggregation portfolio. The excess REC volumes are to be sourced from biomass, hydro, wind, solar photovoltaic, or captured methane-landfill gas, and certified by a reliable and existing authority. Costs associated with supplying the elevated number of REC wilt be submitted as pricing options during the solicitation process.
(c) Enhanced individual renewable energy mix. Electricity supply that includes volumes of renewable energy credits (RECs) in excess of the minimum level of renewable energy resources mandated by the state’s renewable portfolio standard as requested by individual aggregation members. The excess REC volumes are to be sourced from biomass, hydro, wind, solar photovoltaic, or captured methane-landfill gas and certified by a reliable and existing authority. Costs associated with supplying the elevated number of REC will be submitted as pricing options during the solicitation process.
(2) The village will determine whether any option beyond the lowest price mix will be accepted.
(F) Qualification of bidders. Bidders must demonstrate that they satisfy each of the following requirements.
(1) State and utility certifications and licenses.
(a) A certificate of serviced authority from the State of Illinois as a certified retail electric supplier and any and all other licenses or certifications required by the ICC;
(b) Current registration as a retail electric supplier with Ameren;
(c) Proof of the company’s bond posting with the ICC; and
(d) Commitment to comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the state.
(2) Transmission agreements. A service agreement for network integration transmission service under open access transmission tariff.
(3) Data systems.
(a) Electronic data interchange computer network that is fully functional at all times and includes back-up file saving systems, and is capable of handling the Ameren residential and small commercial retail electric customers in the village.
(b) A secure database of customer account information that will include the Ameren account number, and supplier account number of each active member, and other pertinent information such as rate code, rider code (if applicable), and usage and demand history. The database will be updated on an ongoing basis. The data contained in the database will be held strictly confidential. Customer account information for a minimum of two years following the termination of the agreement.
(4) Corporate capacity. The internal resources to meet the needs of the Aggregation Program.
(a) Maintain the necessary corporate structure to sell energy power supplies to the Ameren residential and small commercial retail customers in village.
(b) Proof of company’s (or parent company affiliate’s) credit rating as reported in the most recent company annual or quarterly reports.
(5) Customer service.
(a) The ability to reach all Ameren residential and small commercial retail customers in village to educate them on the terms of the Aggregation Program and the Act, ensuring that marketing materials take into account multiple modes of communication, including, but not limited to, regular mail using the village’s envelopes, email distribution lists, web sites, social media, and phone contact.
(b) A local or toll-free telephone access line which will be available to aggregation members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained company representatives will be available to respond to customer telephone inquiries during normal business hours. After normal business hours, the access line may be answered by a service or an automated response system, including an answering machine. Inquiries received after normal business hours must be responded to by a trained company representative on the next business day. Under normal operating conditions, telephone answer times by a customer representative, including wait time, shall not exceed 30 seconds when the connection is made, if the call needs to be transferred, transfer time shall not exceed 30 seconds. These standards shall be met no less than 90% of the time under normal operating conditions, measured on a quarterly basis;
(c) The capacity to deliver customer service for members requiring non-English verbal and written assistance;
(d) The capacity to deliver customer service for hearing impaired members;
(e) Accommodate member inquiries and complaints about energy supply and services; and
(f) Answer questions regarding the Program in general.
(G) Evaluation of qualifications. The village and consultant will evaluate and assign scores to each bidder based on the following criteria in order to establish a qualified bidder pool:
(1) Financial strength of the bidder;
(2) Quality of the response to the Aggregation Plan;
(3) Quality of the Opt-Out Plan and account enrollment time line;
(4) Experience as a supplier in the local market; and
(5) Any other factors deemed to be in the village’s best interest.
(H) Award. The village will select the bidder which the village determines to be in the best interests of the village. The village will not be required to award any agreement that is not deemed by the village to be in the best interests of the village.
(Ord. 13-02, passed 2-19-2013)