NERC Compliance Services RFP

Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA), a joint powers authority serving eleven member cities and one irrigation district in Southern California, seeks competitive proposals for North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Compliance Services. The scope encompasses two primary areas of interest: development of a custom compliance application/reporting system and provision of consulting compliance services.

The custom compliance application/reporting system must include a comprehensive dashboard providing an overview of compliance programs and status with designated repositories for documentation and reports. The system shall generate tasks such as surveys, email reminders, and escalation notices while maintaining documentation and evidence records with role-based access controls. Electronic document approvals and uploads must be supported, along with log files and metadata tracking event data and historical records for audit purposes, including last-updated information by date and user. The reporting functionality must enable creation of customized reports, submission of reports on behalf of Members, and maintenance of logging systems for event-driven activity.

The consulting services component shall include assessment of new regulations and compliance requirements specific to NERC and associated programs (Critical Infrastructure Protection, Protection and Control); review of Underfrequency Load Shedding (UFLS) programs design to ensure compliance with Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) criteria; guidance to stakeholders in evaluating new requirements and their effects; and monitoring of pending and approved changes to NERC and WECC regulations with capability to engage in the regulatory process and make recommendations on behalf of Members. Additionally, consultants shall develop and monitor mitigation plans to completion, evaluate risks and recommend controls including Inherent Risk Assessment (IRA) and Compliance Oversight Plan (COP), prepare reports for identified risks and vulnerabilities, prepare Annual Self Certification and Self-reports for submission to WECC, monitor the NERC Alert program, support Members in developing and updating internal regulatory policies and procedures, share industry best practices, and perform compliance gap analysis.

Audit preparation services shall include assistance with completing and tracking Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), support for internal and external audit preparation and engagement, preparation of audit documentation, performance of annual internal audit reviews, and conducting mock audits in preparation for regulatory audits. Training shall be provided to staff and subject matter experts on internal policies, processes, and procedures related to their area of responsibility, as well as training on the Compliance/Reporting tool itself.