Membership Announcements

Watch & Protect (previously Critical Facility/In Conflict)
Purpose: Members can choose the “Watch and Protect” positive response, when an operator requires that they or a designated representative be on-site to observe excavation within ten (10) feet of the operator’s marking of its existing underground facility.
Member/Operator Responsibility: Effective November 1, 2024, operators who choose the “Watch and Protect” positive response, will be required by law to provide in the comments, the name and phone number of the operator representative that will be on site at the ticket date and time, or at the start date agreed upon in writing by the excavator and operator.
Excavator Responsibility: When a positive response of “Watch and Protect” has been indicated, by law, no excavation may take place without the operators or its designee onsite to observe the excavation.
Law Reference: Section 14.2.Definition #17 and §63-142.6. Part A & Part B 

Pre-Excavation Meeting Request for Large Projects
Purpose: A notice to facilitate communication between the excavator and all facility operators with underground lines in the proposed area of excavation of a large project.
Change: Effective November 1, 2024: Excavators may submit a Pre-Excavation Meeting Request to schedule a meeting no less than (14) calendar days prior to any excavation activities for the purpose of planning a large project and coordinating resources accordingly.
Member/Operator Responsibility: When your company receives a pre-excavation meeting request, you will need to provide a positive response within (72) hours indicating your ability to meet. Parties involved in this meeting shall coordinate a marking plan and take actions necessary to ensure proper notice requirements are met for the affected facility operators.
OKIE811 has created (2) new codes that can be used to provide positive response for Pre-Excavation Meeting Requests:
– #16 – Will Be Attending. Facility Operator will be attending the Pre excavation meeting.

– #17 – Will Not Be Attending. Facility Operator will not be attending the Pre excavation meeting.
***You are encouraged to use the Comments section of positive response be to provide contact information and details which support the response itself. ***
Excavator Responsibility: When using a Pre-Excavation meeting request notification, information shall include the excavator’s proposed meeting date, time, location, and contact information. The date of the meeting shall be a minimum of (72) hours after the notification has been sent.

Large Project Defined in the Law
Definition: Large projects are excavation projects that involve one of the following:
a) Scope of work that exceeds the limits of a locate request or
b) Has an estimated duration of more than (90) days
Law Reference:  Section 14.2.Definitions 18, 19 and § 63-142.8, Section C

Field Contact
Change: Effective November 1, 2024, excavators will be required by law to provide the name and phone number of a field contact with actual knowledge of the excavation site and project.
Law Reference: §63-142.6.D.4

Please visit the OKIE Portal and select Membership Info to request your Certificate of Good Standing!

Upcoming Member Services Webinars

To register for Upcoming Webinars, please visit the Events Calendar at the bottom of the OKIE811 Learning Hub page.

Annual Billing Reminders

November is when members receive their annual invoice for their membership fees. We wanted to share a couple of reminders regarding the invoice.

Invoice Reminders

• OKIE811 bills in arrears for services rendered from November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024.
• Reference the 2024 Fee Schedule regarding questions about fees.
• Pull ticket report by logging in to OKIE811 Portal.
• Member Billing recorded webinar
• Did not receive your invoice, contact MemberServices@okie811.org or (800) 522-6544 x4003.

Payment Reminders

• Payments are due December 31, 2024
• Payment Options
  • On Annual Invoice click “Review and Pay” to pay by ACH bank transfer or Credit Card
  • Check sent to address at bottom of invoice.
  • Include your invoice number and member code with your payment.
• Click link on invoice for copy of W-9

LATE FEES

• Late Fees of 1.5% or $50 (whichever is greater) will be applied to all outstanding invoices after January 1, 2025.

The 2025 Fee Schedule has been approved by the OKIE811 Board of Directors and will go into effect November 1, 2024. These new rates will be reflected on your 2025 Annual Invoice.