SEED Quarterly Fall 2021

We're here to help

At SMUD, we’re here to support our community, businesses and neighborhoods with:

  • Contracting opportunities. Our Procurement department continues to release solicitations for essential business contracts. Don't miss an opportunity to submit a bid to do business with SMUD. Visit our Solicitation Portal to learn more.
  • Safely paying your bill. There are several safe and easy ways to pay your bill. Online options include My Account, our guest pay option and through the SMUD App. Or you can visit one of our authorized pay stations.
  • Help with your bill. We understand that many customers still face financial difficulties. We encourage residential and business customers with past-due bill to take advantage of our flexible payment options and emergency funding. We will not disconnect your power due to non-payment until March 2022. Learn how to get help with your bill.
  • Microloans. To help counter the economic fallout of COVID-19, SMUD’s Sustainable Communities program has partnered with California Capital to create a simple, low-interest microloan program for nonprofits in our service area. Learn more about the SMUD Nonprofit Microloan Program.

Don't hesitate to contact our team for assistance at any time at SEED.Mgr@smud.org.

Relief for small businesses in Citrus Heights 

 Relief fund recipient, El Pollo Loco.  Relief fund recipient, Inferno Chicken.  Relief fund recipient, Mu$icnaire$ Empire  Relief fund recipient, Appliance Parts Center.
 Relief fund recipient, Christ the King Retreat.  Relief fund recipient, Sunrise Rollerland.  Relief fund recipient, The Art Shock.  

In May 2021, the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce held a drive-in concert fundraiser, “Journey Revisited,” to raise funds for the Chamber’s COVID Community Relief Fund. SMUD was happy to support this event, which raised $20,000, as part of the Sustainable Communities Initiative. 

In July, the Chamber started presenting checks in amounts up to $1,000 to businesses that applied for the relief funds. 

We greatly appreciate SMUD’s support for this important cause in helping our business community and we look forward to continuing our invaluable partnership,” said Citrus Heights Chamber Executive Director Diane Ebbitt.

2021 Virtual Meet the Buyers & Business Resource Expo 

On September 20 – 23, we hosted our second annual virtual Meet the Buyers & Business Resource Expo. The event was expanded to offer attendees more opportunity to learn about SMUD programs and resources for commercial customers. In support of this expansion, as well as the virtual nature of the event, 13 breakout sessions were hosted by SMUD staff over a 4-day period.

Over 420 attendees registered to participate in this unique virtual event, which offered a variety of educational sessions, procurement panels, a virtual exhibit hall and online networking with individual buyers. A 2030 Clean Energy Vision session was added this year, as well as specialized workshops to highlight programs, solutions and success stories for restaurants, hotels and retail business owners. In addition, attendees learned about our Supplier Education & Economic Development program, procurement platform and upcoming contracting opportunities.

In addition to engaging with attendees, this was an opportunity for SMUD to support the recovery of our local economy. In support of our currently contracted SEED-qualified restaurants, we offered participating attendees the opportunity to earn a $15.00 gift card to participating locations. 

If you registered for the event but couldn’t attend, you can still access session recordings and presentation documents by signing into the Whova virtual platform using your email address and event code: MTBBRE2021.

Did you know...
The California Capital Procurement Technical Assistance Center offers free services to help small businesses prepare for, pursue and perform on government contracts?  

Supplier highlight - Green Grid, Inc.

Green Grid Inc logo
Typically, our Supplier Highlight is focused on successful SEED-qualified vendors. In this edition, we’re switching it up a bit and highlighting a prime contractor, Green Grid, Inc. (GGI), who’s had non-traditional success through our SEED program.
 
A California based company, founded in 2011, GGI provides transformative digital transformation and automation technologies, tools and techniques that are highly effective for climatic risk mitigation and decarbonization. GGI’s digital inspection of power lines and vegetation using a remote sensing and patented smart sensor system, iSIU™ mitigates service outage and ignition risks.

GGI’s LiDAR and image processing fusion for AI-enabled automated powerline encroachment detection.
Chimnoy Saha, Co-Founder/President/CEO of Green Grid told us he learned about the SEED program two and a half years ago when he participated in a request for proposal with SMUD. The program’s sub-contracting incentives encouraged Mr. Saha to connect and partner with SEED-qualified vendors to submit multiple bids on SMUD solicitations. While they’ve come close, they have not yet won a contract with SMUD, but Chimnoy says he has gained some of his strongest sub-contractors and consultants through the process.
 
According to Mr. Saha, “Every prime should try SEED, not just for the SEED program points, but to develop good relationships and build connections with highly qualified vendors”. He feels the SEED program is well organized with knowledgeable staff and quality suppliers who he’s found to be highly competent to deliver quality work on time and on budget.

“I feel SEED is a well-organized program. Smart SEED staff are very knowledgeable, delivering a good quality list based on specific requirements… it is hard to find this kind of prompt procurement-related help from many other companies.”

 

- Chimnoy Saha, Green Grid CEO

  Image of Chinmoy Saha, Green Grid CEO

Express Energy Solutions success story

In 2019, a local auto retail and repair facility in the north Sacramento area connected with SMUD’s Complete Energy Solutions and Express Energy Solutions programs to explore energy efficiency programs and rebate opportunities. Following a consultation, the business owner worked with upgraded their interior repair shop lighting and exterior retail space lighting. In the months following the completion of these projects, SMUD’s team received the following feedback regarding the project experience and results:

  • When asked how lighting has changed the business’ retail atmosphere, the owner said the upgrade has enhanced their product view and improved overall safety. 
  • When asked whether the lighting updates impacted their energy use, the owner stated that they are saving about $2,000 per month since completing the upgrades.     
  • Regarding their experience working with SMUD, the business owner noted great appreciation for the Complete Energy Solutions team and program. If service or repair was needed after installation, the vendor came right out and fixed it.

2030 Zero Carbon Vision

For decades, SMUD has been a leader in clean energy and carbon reduction. Our 2030 Zero Carbon Vision continues this commitment.

Our goal is to reach zero carbon emissions in our power supply by 2030 – the most ambitious goal of any large utility in the United States.

This ambitious goal puts the Sacramento Region on the map as an example to follow and a region where innovative, climate-friendly businesses want to be.

 

Upcoming projects

Replacement Switchgear Assemblies 
Replacement T2 Transformer
Substation Capacitor Banks
Three (3) Year Paper Supply
IFB for Civil Annual Painting
 Audit Support Services
 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

 

Visit bids.smud.org

Recently-awarded SEED contracts

DC Enterprises
Sierra National Construction
Urn Consulting
Technology Crest Corporation

 

Connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn!

Find us on Facebook or LinkedIn to learn about upcoming events and solicitations.