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Suppliers

Resources for current and potential PG&E suppliers

Exhibits cited by reference in Terms and Conditions

 

Direct suppliers: Companies that have a contract or purchase agreement to provide goods or services directly to PG&E.

Prime suppliers: Direct suppliers that hire other companies as subcontractors to help execute the contracted work.

  • PG&E offers support to prime suppliers so they may develop a supplier diversity program of their own.

 

Prime Supplier Program

Prime suppliers are current suppliers with PG&E contracts or purchase agreements who hire subcontractors to help execute their obligations.

The Prime Supplier Program is a key PG&E initiative for supply chain responsibility. Participation strengthens your business, builds stronger supply chains and enhances economic vitality in our communities.

This program focuses on sharing our collective successes and helping our suppliers develop their own initiatives in:

Find out about supplier environmental performance expectations. Download PG&E's Supplier Environmental Management Standards (PDF).

More on supplier requirements

PG&E asks our prime suppliers to strive for continuous improvement. Below are ways to help us measure our collective performance.

 

Submit your monthly diversity results

We ask our prime suppliers to report their monthly diverse subcontracting results to help us measure our collective performance and report to the CPUC. Please report your monthly results accurately and on-time via the subcontracting reporting website. 

Report your results

Meet potential diverse subcontractors

 

Assess your environmental practices

PG&E asks suppliers to strive for continued environmental performance improvement. As a part of the Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance, we use an online tool to measure supplier performance. See how your business's environmental practices compare to others in your industry

Take the assessment

 

Speak up about concerns

We encourage suppliers to speak up about concerns or issues. Report misconduct issues to your PG&E business contact or to our 24-Hour Compliance and Ethics Helpline.

Email: complianceethicshelp@pge.com

Call: 1-888-231-2310

Report a concern now

Suppliers that provide material that is considered “high risk” are required to be ISO 9001 certified. Explore the lists of material families. Ensure your materials conform to specifications.

 

Supplier requirements for materials

Supplier requirements for high-risk materials

Prime Supplier Academy workshop videos

PG&E’s Prime Supplier Academy workshops provide education, resources and tools that help our suppliers increase engagement in and ownership of their own supplier diversity, environmental sustainability and supplier code of conduct initiatives.

Working with PG&E

 

Many large companies follow a procurement process similar to PG&E. Our sourcing department regularly evaluates suppliers to ensure competitiveness and/or if there is a particular need within a category.

Suppliers participate in bid opportunities via:

  • Request for Information (RFI)
  • Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Request for Quote (RFQ)

Find upcoming bid opportunities

 

Prepare for opportunities

If you are a small or diverse business enterprise and want to work with PG&E, taking the actions below will help you align with opportunities.

Determine if your qualifications match with current needs. Be able to concisely describe your company’s unique capabilities and how they meet the needs of PG&E or a potential business customer.

Explore current market conditions, business operations or requirements, regulatory mandates, and current legislation.

Understand PG&E expectations regarding supplier diversity, environmental sustainability and supplier conduct.

PG&E may hold meetings with aspiring suppliers to outline opportunities. Define where you can add value and ensure you meet current needs.

 

While not required, you can maximize your opportunities by getting certified through various agencies that PG&E recognizes, which are listed in the Supplier Diversity section. Once you're certified, look for opportunities that might be a good fit.

Supplier minimum qualifications vary depending on the product or service type. There may be certain safety, insurance or license requirements a supplier needs to meet.

Common considerations are:

  • Adherence to PG&E's Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Having a robust and established safety program
  • Having a state and federal taxpayer ID and necessary business licenses
  • Having been in business for two or more years showing financial stability
  • Maintaining sufficient general liability, auto, and worker's compensation insurance
  • Providing good quality at a competitive cost
  • Aligning well with PG&E's priorities and needs
  • Demonstrating supply chain responsibility

Many specific types of suppliers, such as construction contractors or those that manage sensitive/confidential data, have additional requirements.

 

Become a member of a community organization focused on supplier diversity or environmental sustainability. When attending events, come prepared with an overview to leave behind, highlighting important points about your company capabilities. Share successes within the utility or related industries.

Indicate your interest in working with PG&E. These supplier profiles may be reviewed when procurement opportunities arise.

PG&E launches online tool for submitting Supplier Change Requests: eSCR

 

PG&E launched eSCR to replace the paper forms and email process previously used to submit Supplier Change Requests. While the Change Management Process and its requirements haven’t changed, eSCR allows suppliers to launch the process via an online form and submit the required documentation as attachments.

Visit the eSCR Supplier Portal

Supplier Change Request (SCR) program

The SCR program provides a formal system for assessing, tracking and documenting material recalls and changes that affect fit, form or function of procured material – including but not limited to changes in manufacturing site location, changes in sub-suppliers and changes to key manufacturing equipment.

The SCR program requires pre-approval of those changes to avoid the adverse effect of random changes.

If you have questions about eSCR, email eSCRAdmin@pge.com. For more information about PG&E's Supplier Change Request program, refer to the Supplier Qualification Manual (PDF, 334 KB).

 

Here are links to more information and a link to the eSCR portal.

Commitment to a diverse supply chain

 

PG&E is committed to a diverse supply chain. We work with many small business enterprises (SBE) and enterprises owned by women (WBE), minorities (MBE), service-disabled veterans (DVBE), lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals (LGBTBE), persons with disabilities and certified Small Business Act Section 8(a) firms. In fact, since 2012, more than 38 percent of our annual procurement spend has been with certified diverse businesses.

 

Economic impact

 

PG&E has had a formal supplier diversity program in place since 1981. We're extremely proud of our success in this area and look forward to sustaining our commitments to supplier diversity, innovation and excellence for many years to come.

 

Read our Supplier Diversity Economic Impact Report (PDF, 5.2 MB) to learn more about our program’s economic impact.

 

Collaborative effort

 

Our program's success is a collaborative effort. We engage coworkers across our company to drive supplier diversity goal achievement. We encourage suppliers throughout our supply chain to commit to inclusivity. We partner with local and national external community-based organizations to champion supplier diversity excellence.

 

California's regulated utilities are required to have a supplier diversity program and report program results to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) annually, in accordance with General Order 156. We offer a variety of initiatives to support current and prospective suppliers, including technical assistance and development through our Technical Assistance Program.

 

As we look ahead to meet the challenges of an evolving industry, diverse suppliers are key to supporting our mission to deliver safe, reliable, affordable clean energy to our customers and communities. We are incredibly proud of our work in this area. It strengthens our supply chain with better business solutions, shapes stronger communities through economic development and helps build a better future for us all.

 

Becoming a diverse supplier

Take action to become one of PG&E's diverse suppliers.

The California Public Utilities Commission's Supplier Clearinghouse certifies businesses owned by minorities, women, disabled veterans, LGBT, persons with disabilities and certified Small Business Act Section 8(a) firms. Learn more about General Order 156 (PDF, 224 KB).

Woman, Minority and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender owned Business Enterprises (WBE, MBE, LGBTBE) must register with the CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse to complete a verification application. You must turn in this application in order to certify your diverse business.

  • To request an application by phone, contact the Supplier Clearinghouse at 1-800-359-7998.
  • To Request an application by email, send a request to info@thesupplierclearinghouse.com
  • You can also download an application at the Supplier Clearinghouse and mail it to the following address:
    The Supplier Clearinghouse
    10100 Pioneer Blvd, Suite 103
    Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE) must obtain certification from the California Department of General Services (CA DGS).

You may find value in certifying with diverse business organizations. In addition to the Supplier Clearinghouse and California Department of General Services, the following certification organizations and their affiliates are valuable resources that support supplier diversity.


We also encourage you to seek out other Community-Based Organizations that can support your business including local Chambers of Commerce.

Create your supplier profile with PG&E. Then visit the current bid opportunities page to see if there are opportunities that might be a good fit.

Questions about supply chain responsibility? We're here to help. Email supplierdiversityteam@pge.com or call 510-898-0310.

PG&E strives to match suppliers with current contract opportunities.

Explore bid opportunities

Supporting small and diverse businesses

PG&E is committed to working with small and diverse businesses and providing them with the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in PG&E's procurement opportunities. Below you'll find information on small-business definitions and resources to help register as a small business.

Suppliers can register with the General Service Administration's System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain that registration annually.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains a list of size standards per North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code. The size standard is based on the number of employees or average annual receipts. Suppliers can learn more about the federal SBA small business requirements at Basic requirements (sba.gov).

In addition, this is how the SBA defines a U.S. small-business concern:

  • Organized for profit
  • Has a place of business in the U.S
  • Operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials, or labor
  • Is independently owned and operated
  • Is not dominant in its field on a national basis

A small business may be registered with the SBA and in SAM as one or more of the following:

If you are a small or diverse business enterprise and want to work with PG&E, join us at one of the many outreach events we attend or host throughout the year. Determine if your capabilities and qualifications match up with our needs. After that, you may want to register as a small business in SAM System for Award Management (SAM). Lastly, create a PG&E supplier registration profile and check out current bid opportunities. Learn more. 

Create your supplier profile with PG&E. Then visit PG&E Bid Opportunities to see if there are opportunities that might be a good fit.

Additional resources

A commitment to ethical business conduct

 

All PG&E suppliers, as well as their employees, subcontractors and sub-suppliers must adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct if they wish to do business with us.

 

Download PG&E's Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF, 252 KB)

Supplier responsibilities

Share the Code with your employees and contractors working for, or on behalf of, PG&E.

Ensure everyone is in compliance with this Code, all applicable laws and regulations, and working in accordance with the highest standards of ethical business conduct.

Verify all workers are trained with the skills, expertise and certifications necessary to complete the job in a safe and compliant manner.

PG&E may ask suppliers to demonstrate conformance to this Code of Conduct. Failure to comply can result in contract termination. Typically, conformance verification includes review of suppliers’ policies, procedures and risk management systems to confirm adherence to PG&E conduct expectations.

Immediately notify your PG&E business contact about any issue or concern. Misconduct concerns may also be addressed by contacting PG&E’s Compliance and Ethics Helpline at any time, day or night, at 1-888-231-2310, complianceethicshelp@pge.com or pgecorp.ethicspoint.com.

You can report any activities you believe may be illegal or unethical or raise concerns about questionable accounting or auditing matters.

PG&E’s supplier base is a critical and necessary extension of our mission, operations and future success. We appreciate your commitment to making compliance and ethics a top priority as you work with us.

After-the-Fact Purchase Orders (AFPOs)

A key control for PG&E is having a purchase order in place for each good or service we purchase from your organization before any work begins.

We will be investigating and installing corrective actions for each instance where an after-the-fact purchase order has to be issued. Please register the AFPO activity in the application link below to report situations where you have already commenced work without a purchase order first being issued.

AFPO registration

Discover Supply Chain Responsibility

Register your company as a potential PG&E supplier. You may also login to your account for maintenance or reporting.

SupplierOne registration

Damage Prevention Institute (DPI) Standard for Contractors Performing Excavation

 

Find out what PG&E contractors need to do before beginning any excavation work.


Learn more about the danage prevention institute standard

 

Wildfire Prevention

 

Due to climate and environmental issues in the state of California, wildfire is a significant threat needing attention for prevention and mitigation. Therefore, PG&E has revised procedural standards to best support addressing this urgent situation.

 

All suppliers working in the field are expected to adhere to these requirements taking responsibility for actions which could potentially cause wildfire. This includes awareness of wildfire risk in geographic areas where work is to be performed, properly outfitting vehicles and personnel with adequate training and tools; ensuring each individual is accountable for preventing and mitigating potential wildfire risk.

 

 

Gain a competitive advantage by enrolling in free online training.

Enroll in the Technical Assistance Program

Access to equipment and property

 

Is your company seeking access to PG&E's pole top antennas? Any companies doing work on PG&E equipment or property must be PG&E-approved. Below are details about the joint utility processes and requirements.

Execute the pole top master license agreement

PG&E allows access to pole tops on its solely or jointly owned poles infrastructure in accordance with the rules and requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Qualified companies (Commercial Mobile Radio Service [CMRS] carriers) may start the request for information and access process once they execute our master license agreement.

Once you've entered into a master license agreement with PG&E, follow these steps:

  1. Request a PG&E map by sending the map request form (PDF, 35 KB) and an area map to pgepoledatarequest@pge.com.
  2. Submit Exhibit A (PDF, 522 KB) – Request for Access Form – with PG&E map, marked with the desired pole, and as applicable submit construction drawings through Customer Connect Online – Your Projects.
  3. Pay engineering advance.
  4. Schedule the pre-flight process with job owner.
  5. If a pole is approved, execute the contract and submit payment to PG&E.
  6. PG&E coordinates construction with customers when payment is received, and dependencies are met.
  7. When construction is complete applicant sends signed Exhibit A part 3 to PG&E, and the pole top antenna request is complete.

PG&E standards

Any companies doing work on PG&E pole tops must be PG&E-approved. Companies must also comply with PG&E's pole-top antenna installation standards. You'll receive the latest version once you've executed a master license agreement and a non-disclosure agreement. The standards are updated from time to time.

Download the PG&E nondisclosure and use of information agreement (PDF, 76 KB)

In addition to the above, any company entering into a master license agreement with PG&E agrees to meet all construction and safety standards prescribed by the master license agreement, including CPUC – General Order 128 and those that PG&E may prescribe now and at any point in the future.

 

Execute the overhead master license agreement

PG&E allows access to excess capacity in its utility pole infrastructure in accordance with the rules and requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Note: The following process does not include Commercial mobile radio service/antenna attachments. For such inquiries, visit Pole Top Antenna Access.

Qualified companies (competitive local exchange carriers (CLECS) and Cable TV Corporations) may start the request for information and access to the pole space process once they execute our master license agreement.

Once you've entered into a master license agreement with PG&E, follow these steps:

  1. Request a PG&E joint utility map by sending a map request form (PDF, 35 KB) and an area map to pgepoledatarequest@pge.com.
  2. Request pole data sheets for poles to be applied for, using a marked PG&E joint utility map. (For poles greater than 15 years old with an intrusive inspection date greater than five years old, the applicant must have an intrusive inspection performed and submit the results with the job application.) Complete the pole data request form (PDF, 51 KB) and attach the marked joint utility map, identifying PG&E solely-owned poles with your assigned location number. Send the request to pgepoledatarequest@pge.com
  3. Submit job application including Exhibit A (PDF, 134 KB), Pole Loading Calculations, Make-ready Forms, Marked Joint Utility Maps, and Intrusive Inspection Data for all Poles to pgestructureaccesstelco@pge.com
  4. Receive approval or denial from PG&E Senior New Business Representative within 45 days.
  5. If your locations have been approved for attachment, attach to the approved pole(s) within 30 days and submit signed Exhibit A, Part 3 to your Senior New Business Representative.

PG&E standards

Preparatory work performed prior to application submission and work performed upon application approval must meet General Order 95 Requirements and PG&E standards, per the Standard Overhead Master License Agreement. PG&E standards are subject to change.

Execute the underground space master license agreement

PG&E allows access to excess capacity in its underground conduit infrastructure in accordance with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Qualified companies (competitive local exchange carriers or CLECs) may start the request for information and access processes once they execute our master license agreement.

Once you've entered into a master license agreement with PG&E, follow these steps:

  • Request PG&E map. Attach a Conduit Mapping Request form together with a marked area map (such as from Google Maps) and send to pgepoledatarequest@pge.com.
  • Submit Exhibit A – Request for Access Form (attached to master license agreement) with PG&E map, marked with the desired route (20-manhole limit per submission); include letter of intent that describes approximate total footage, manholes to be accessed, any manholes to be cored, and start and end locations. Pay deposit for route investigation.
  • Receive results of feasibility study.
  • If your route is feasible, submit construction package for PG&E approval, including contractor proposal information. Pay estimate for any PG&E expenses incurred during construction.
  • Upon approval, coordinate a construction start date with PG&E and schedule a pre-construction safety meeting.
  • Submit as-built drawings within 90 days of construction completion.
  • Email documents rightofwayaccessconduit@pge.com.

Disclaimers

This process is for the Right-of-Way Conduit Access only and does not include job design services. For questions about the PG&E job design of viable conduit routes, contact the New Revenue Development Department at nrdfiberoperations@pge.com.

PG&E retains the option to revoke any licenses if the routes of any conduits or other structures along the routes become necessary to serve core gas or electric customers.

For general information about the right-of-way conduit access request process, and to inquire about establishing a master license agreement, email your request to rightofwayaccessconduit@pge.com.

 

PG&E's standards

All companies working in our underground conduits must be approved by PG&E. Approval requires registration in ISNetworld and a grade of 'B' or better in PG&E's contractor safety program, plus current certification in PG&E's Gold Shovel Certification Program.

For more information, visit:

Companies must also comply with PG&E's latest fiber optic cable installation standards.

In addition to all the above, any company entering into a master license agreement with PG&E agrees to meet all construction and safety standards prescribed by the master license agreement, including CPUC – General Order 128 and those that PG&E may prescribe now and at any point in the future.

More about doing business with PG&E

Bid opportunities

Find opportunities to work with PG&E business partners

Explore bid opportunities

Contact us

If you have additional questions about supply chain responsibility, email supplierdiversityteam@pge.com or call 510-898-0310.