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NERC Compliance Services

Epoch consultants offer a variety of specialized CIP Services which are tailored specifically to your individual needs and responsibilities. Need some assistance? Give us a call, or contact us today to get started. Put our expertise to work for you!

software setup & Population

We have an exemplary service to help you populate your data. It involves configuring iCOMPLY and developing forms consistent with the policies and procedures governing each Requirement. We populate each Requirement with the procedures and the responsible parties attach the evidence or link the evidence to the appropriate databases. We will create event types and link them to the Requirements, schedule recurring events, set up users, assign access rights, assign responsibilities, assign notifications, set up portal pages, and other software administration functions. We also have the ability to prepare, develop and create custom features and reports as needed.

Software Administration

We offer system administration services to maintain your system and software. This involves such things as ensuring you have the latest version of the software, and the latest Standards definitions by installing them as needed. We also will add new users, change user access rights, create and schedule new events, set up notifications, attach evidence, create new forms and other needed administration services.

compliance program Development

Program Organization
We can help you by organizing the job into small, manageable pieces that meet your internal objectives and structure. Included are resource assessments, responsibility assessments, access rights assessments, operational process assessments, database integration planning, IT needs assessments and reporting requirements.

Implementation Schedule Development

We can help prepare optimistic, realistic and fall back implementation schedules utilizing sound time management techniques. These plans include items such as logistics, costs, training, review processes, data validation, start-up testing procedures, and compliance evaluations.

compliance policy review & development

Evidence Management Schemes
We offer tried and true evidence management schemes for handling NERC evidence that are logical, understandable and complete to assure the evidence you need is available for that audit. We will help you determine what evidence to gather, how to gather it, and where you are going to store them. Often this involves various databases already in use elsewhere in the company, or data files in drawers, or in electronic format. We can help prepare a data organizing plan for this purpose. Includes required evidence, supplemental evidence, Multi- Requirement evidence, communication’s tracking, scheduled and unscheduled evidence handling.

Lead Consultant
We are experienced consultants and can lead this effort if needed or assist you as directed.

internal compliance review & preparation

We have developed a short, simple way of evaluating your Internal Compliance Program (ICP) that will help you assess not only your ICP, but your general overall readiness. If you do not have one, our experts can prepare one for you.

compliance policy review & development

Each company should have a company policy that reflects its ICP and governs each standard. We can assist with the development of these policies including such essential elements as compliance assurance, department and managerial responsibilities, governing documents, filing dates, event frequencies, exclusions, and others as needed.
 
After the policies are developed, we work with you to develop internal procedures designed to ensure each requirement is addressed consistently, in adherence to your policy and on-time each and every instance an event occurs.

Customized forms

Need help developing meaningful compliance forms? Good forms are simple and informational. We start with your own company policies and develop forms that will ensure your policies are readily enforced. Forms can range from the simplest approval form to the most complex process mimicking CIP and EOP standards. Forms can be automated using any one of the several Towerline Software products designed for this purpose.
 
All forms come with a comprehensive index identifying which form to use for what applications and what requirements to store them under. If you already have the iComply software, we can instead deliver them already installed and pre-linked to the appropriate requirement for automatic retrieval as related events occur.

Audit readiness assessment

We help you assess and improve your readiness for an audit. We do this by reviewing your Internal Compliance Program’s, policies and performing a gap analysis on the data intended as evidence for each requirement to determine if it is relevant, complete, referenced and consistent for the appropriate time frame. This includes forms, documents and models submitted, documents reviewed, communication dates, and other specific information. Upon completion the standard manager can sign off using Towerline’s spot assessment feature affirming the Standard is in compliance as of that date.

Compliance facilitation services

Are you considering outsourcing your compliance program administration? There are many times when a company needs assistance setting up and implementing a Compliance Program. Sometimes it is needed as a temporary measure while the company searches for a Compliance Manager, while other times it is a more permanent need due to manpower, time or technical deficiencies.

 

Epoch has a solution to this dilemma. We have the experience, talent, manpower, forms, process, software and reporting tools needed to effectively step in and do this function for you. Our personnel will document policies, perform the gap analysis, get all evidence up to date, provide compliance software, develop the appropriate forms, populate the software, monitor documents for timely reviews, issue equipment test reminders, document communications internal and external to the company, prepare RSAWS, and assist with audits.

 

Gap Analysis & Auditing

We offer a 3rd party analysis of your NERC evidence and readiness by using a very detailed and methodical process to examine each Requirement. This process includes reviewing RSAWS and identifying supporting evidence. Our services are intended for first time audits or for annual reviews. Customers are presented with a report that is invaluable when preparing RSAWs.

Customers utilizing Towerline’s iComply solution will have the added benefit of choosing to have this review done using the auditing and the monitoring tools inside of iComply to report on it is constant readiness for an audit.

Optional services include marking and linking the evidence inside of submittable .pdf’s.

Specialized WIND Energy NERC Program

Program Overview
Your needs are unique. They are not the same as other power generators. We offer a robust program dedicated to the Wind Energy industry.
  • Internal Compliance Program: Creation & Review
  • Compliance handbooks
  • Contractors
  • Operators
  • Supervisors
  • Management
  • Training materials
  • Training programs
  • Forums
  • Collaboration Opportunities
  • Shared expenses
  • Industry advocacy
  • NERC reporting
  • Customized Compliance Software

Put Our Expertise to Work for You: (517) 669.8888 to get started.