GENERAL
Victorian Electricity Distribution Network Owners will maintain a register of contractors that meet the VEDN underground electrical infrastructure civil works requirements.
Only contractors that have current VEDN approval are to perform these works.
Gaining approval will not guarantee any work. The awarding of work to VEDN approved providers will be in accordance with the Network Owner or clients' selection and engagement processes.
APPLICATIONS OF APPROVAL
Applications for approval or upgrading of an existing approval may be submitted at any time. Applicants must provide sufficient supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with the specified eligibility criteria for the approval type sought.
The applicant will be required to provide as evidence, recent JAS ANZ audits of their IMS and its deployment in the field.
The applicant applying for approval or upgrading of their current approval status must allow at least six weeks for review of their application after they have submitted the required information.
RELATED & SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
The company in control of the work must hold the relevant VEDN approval in its own right which does not extend to their subcontractors, subsidiary or other engaged personnel. However subcontractors are permitted provided they are working directly under the Accredited Contractors IMS and contract requirements (i.e. supervision, work practices, auditing process, forms, JSA and a trained person is directly supervising the work at all times.
INTERIM PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
The Review Panel may place conditions on a contractor’s approval. These conditions could include defined expiry date, the type or scale of work to which the approval applies, or a requirement to use nominated specialist staff or panel approved sub-contractors
ASSESSMENT & NOTIFICATION
The Review Panel will assess applications against the specified eligibility criteria. Applicants may be required to supply additional information to clarify details of their application, or may be requested to provide any necessary authority to enable relevant enquiries to be carried out.
By submitting an application for approval status, the applicants are deemed to authorise the Review Panel to seek verification of the information supplied.
Applicants will be notified in writing of their approval or non-approval status. Details will be provided in the case of non-acceptance.
Unless circumstances warrant an earlier review, approval status will remain valid for a period of three (3) year from the date of approval or the date of any review that confirms the status.
UPDATING OF REGISTER DETAILS
Contractors must notify the Review Panel of any significant change to their technical capacity, address, ownership or holding.
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
Poor performing Contractors will be required to participate in regular reviews of their performance against the eligibility criteria and approval type.
The Review Panel will consider and implement changes if appropriate.
REVIEW OF APPROVAL STATUS
The Review Panel reserves the right to review any Contractor’s approval at any time. The Contractor may also request a review be conducted by the Review Panel.
Upon request the Contractor must provide any information required for the review. Failure to comply with any request may result in suspension of the approval.
The Review Panel may at its absolute discretion suspend or reclassify a contractor’s level of approval. Before such action is taken, the Contractor will be given an opportunity to show cause as to why the approval should not be suspended or reclassified. The Contractor will also be given details of the matters prompting the request to show cause. These matters may include:
- Failure to provide a letter from a JAS ANZ auditor confirming the ongoing suitablity of your management system and its deployment in the field annually.
- A period of more than three (3) year has elapased since the date of approval or review that confirmed the status of the contractor;
- Unsatisfactory performance;
- Perceived changes to technical capacity;
- Breaches of these preliminary or full approval conditions;
Where approval is suspended, the Contractor will be entitled to make application for reinstatement within a nominated period. Such applications will require the contractor to demonstrate that any matters that lead to suspension have been rectified. If approval is not reinstated within the nominated suspension period it will be rescinded and removed from the register.
DETERMINATION
A determination by the Review Panel of any application for approval or for reclassification, suspension or rescission is at the Review Panels absolute discretion.
The Review Panel will not be liable for any costs or damages incurred in the exercise of such discretion.
CONFIDENTIALITY & PUBLICITY
The VEDN will publish the names, addresses and categories of Approved Contractors on their Internet sites. No responsibility is accepted for any consequences arising from the publication of any such information. In applying for approval, the applicant agrees to the publishing of their company's details and approval status.
Other information provided with applications will not be disclosed to any other party except where necessary for the assessment of the application.
COMPLIANCE & CONTRACT CONDITIONS
Interim Pre-Qualification, Pre-Qualification or Accreditation does not negate the need for a contractor to fully comply with contract conditions.
All Contractors must comply fully with all relevant Acts Legislation and Codes of Practice and the Network Owners requirements for the works being undertaken.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS
By applying for approval contractors agree to accept the Victorian Electricity Distribution Network Owners Conditions of Approval.