by Brianna Crandall — March 18, 2016—To help property and facilities managers determine the best time to start the snow and ice removal planning for the 2016-2017 season, the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) has released its new procuring snow services timeline. SIMA is the North American organization representing snow management professionals.
SIMA created the new timeline to ensure that property and facilities managers have adequate time to secure a contract with a reliable snow removal professional, to guide service providers in their seasonal preparations, and to create common ground between purchasers and providers.
For the timeline, SIMA underwent a review process that tapped into 18 stakeholder reviewers representing the full spectrum of professionals related to snow management services including facilities managers, snow contractors, deicing material suppliers, and equipment suppliers.
SIMA CEO Martin B. Tirado commented:
Facility and property managers can use the timeline to communicate to all internal and external parties the best practices for ensuring quality response to RFPs. The timeline also includes the steps a snow service provider uses before the winter starts including estimating equipment, labor, and deicing needs.
Using a visual format similar to an infographic, the timeline depicts both the buyer and provider sides of the snow management services procurement process.
Service buyers
For facilities / property managers, the timeline depicts best practices for Requests for Proposals, contract negotiations, contract award timing, and contracted service start / end timing. It establishes a 52-week view of the snow removal procurement cycle and breaks it down seasonally so that it can be adjusted in accordance with the geographic area. The timeline’s risk meter highlights the pros and associated risks tied to the timing of contract award dates.
Service providers
Snow management professionals can use the timeline to communicate their challenges to customers, as well as to help them establish a vision for snow management that aligns it with other less “seasonal” services that all need to be managed, reviewed, and purchased within any given year.
Tirado added:
This timeline is the first step to ensure that snow and ice management is perceived as one of the essential, critical services, and that we are not taken for granted or thought of as a seasonal add-on service. Our members know that being a snow management professional requires delivering quality, efficient services while maintaining top professional standards, and this timeline helps us communicate that to our stakeholders.
The “Best Practices in Snow Service Procurement: 52-Week Visual Timeline” is available for free download from the SIMA Web site to anyone at no cost.
For snow and ice removal tips, contracts and forms, best practices, and other resources, visit the SIMA Web site.
