User:Npca

In today’s Playground Industry more and more Playground bid specifications call out for supply and installation of equipment from a single vendor. Often, cities and school districts separate the bid specification to call for a playground sales firm to sell the equipment and then independent playground contractors to bid installation of the equipment.

In either case, when a bid for installation of equipment comes out installers will expect to see the following minimum requirements:

1.	Playground Installer must provide proof NPSI certification 2.	Playground Installer must provide proof of General Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation 3.	Playground Installer must provide proof of being licensed to operate in the state they are doing business.* 4.	Playground Installer must be a certified installer a)	Certified with the NPCAI Playground Construction School or b)	Certified with selected equipment manufacturer

It is not a coincidence that the requirements to become a NPCAI Qualified Contractor are identical to any bid specification. One of the primary benefits of being a NPCAI member is the service of becoming a NPCAI Qualified Contractor. On the members’ behalf, the NPCAI maintains a database of information on each Qualified Contractor. Stored in this database are all the minimum bid specification requirements you see above.

What can NPCAI Qualified Contracting members do to make the most of this VALUED elevated status?

1.	Get Qualified, if you are not already. a)	If you do not already have a NPSI certified staff member, get one*. b)	Proof of insurance to build playgrounds is standard operating procedure. If you are not insured, call the NPCAI today for member insurance benefit information. c)	If the states you are operating in require licensing and you are not licensed, get licensed. The NPCAI maintains a database of requirements. Simply visit the NPCAI website and click – US Licensing Requirements. d)	 Attend training and certify with NPCAI Contractor Training or training as provided by specific manufacturers.

2. Keep the NPCAI abreast of all the changes in your NPCAI Qualified Contractors status a)	Send in yearly updates of insurances b)	Update your NPSI status every three years c)	Take advantage of attending or sending key employees to the NPCAI Contractors 	 School coming to your area. d)	Contact equipment manufacturers to find out when and if they’ll be having an installer certification training soon.

Imagine opening your mail box and finding a request for bid inside. You open the envelope and read the following specification:   “Special consideration to installation contractors who provide proof they are Qualified Contractors with the International Playground Contractors Association”.

As*Depending on which state, this requirement could be a minimum of registering as a business with the secretary of state to being a full-fledged general contractor with specialty licenses to construct playgrounds. * NPSI is the National Playground Safety Institute which offers a 3 year Certification for Playground Inspectors. Disclaimer: The NPCAI makes every effort to correctly identify and record all required data on qualified contractors. In the event that information gathered is not correct, the NPCAI is held harmless from any liability in this regard.