A HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) has streamlined the procurement process for purchasing energy-saving products through the Department of Energy’s ‘ENERGY STAR Quantity Quotes’ website. By purchasing energy-saving products through the website, Housing Agencies (HAs) can reduce their processing costs and improve their purchasing timelines. PIH has determined that this procurement method is in compliance with 24 CFR 85.36 and the Procurement Handbook.
The new process allows HAs to submit anonymously product requests and receive responses from vendors. HAs interested in making a purchase can contact a supplier and directly negotiate discounted prices.
The readily available products may be purchased in bulk quantities and include ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs, light fixtures, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioners.
How does the process work?
- Register on the website and create a username and password. Choose the ENERGY STAR product you are interested in purchasing. Complete and submit the product-specific questionnaire to ENERGY STAR partners. Check ENERGY STAR partner responses by logging in to the website.
- You will be notified by email if a partner has responded to your request.
- You will receive all subsequent responses on the website without email notification.
- Follow up with partners and continue communication via the website.
- Contact supplier when you are ready to purchase.
All of the correspondence on the website between purchasers and suppliers is anonymous. If you have posted a product request, suppliers cannot view your contact information. They can, however, see the city and state in which you are located. This allows the partners to make more informed responses to your requests. When you are ready to negotiate a contract with a supplier you can use their contact information to contact them. If QuantityQuotes provides less than three quotes, then you must supplement the difference with additional quotes. Housing Agencies are required to stay within their state’s procurement limits if they are less than the federal limit of $100,000. To register, go to http://www.quantityquotes.net