Why Use An Accredited Vendor

Accreditation: A non-governmental, voluntary process that evaluates organizations and programs. Accreditation is defined as the process through which an agency or association grants public recognition to a company or organization for having met specific, established qualifications or standards; these standards are determined through initial and periodic evaluations that involve submitting self-evaluation reports, site inspections by a team of experts, and evaluation by an independent board or community.

This program is specifically structured to assess vendor applicants' utilization of and adherence to ACCT Standards and their unwavering commitment to quality, professionalism, and established business practices by presenting work records, procedures, and comprehensive documentation. At a minimum, vendor applicants seeking accreditation must demonstrate significant alignment with program requirements and ACCT Standards. The Vendor Accreditation Program (“Program”) presently extends its evaluation and accreditation services across the following domains: design, installation, inspection, training, and practitioner certification.

If you are planning to build a new course or incorporate additional elements, or if you have one and need services like inspection, maintenance, expansion, or training, your choice of a vendor will be very important. It is key to choose a vendor who can provide a complete range of services and one with a good reputation. The following is a list of questions you might want to ask a potential vendor.

1. Is the vendor insured for general liability, completed operations, or product liability? Does workers' compensation insurance cover all employees and agents, and are all vehicles adequately covered? Can they produce policy copies or a certificate of insurance if requested?
2. Does the vendor have at least 5 years of full-time experience in providing the services you need? What is the vendor's involvement level with relevant professional organizations (ACCT, AEE)? How many courses have they built, and in what regions? How much experience does the individual installer, inspector, or trainer have who will work on your project? Can the vendor produce a list of references for similar projects? Consider visiting courses that the vendor has built if possible.
3. Does the vendor offer more than course installation? How about various training opportunities, maintenance and repair services, course expansion services, course supplies, and equipment? Is a training package included if installing a new course or expanding an old one included?
4. Does the vendor adhere to the Standards published by the Association for Challenge Course Technology? Can the vendor ensure that the course meets or exceeds other application standards, such as camp accreditation standards, state regulations, etc.? Will the vendor help you establish internal course management policies and procedures? Does the course come with a warranty?
5. Does the vendor adhere to the Operations Standards the Association for Challenge Course Technology published? Does the content of the training match these standards? What curriculum is used in their training? What assessments are used at the end of the training? What is the definition of successful training?
6. Is the vendor financially stable? Is a formal contract executed for all services? What are their terms for deposits and payments?

An Accredited Vendor has undergone the accreditation process for their services. This process identifies vendors whose vended services have a history of meeting the ACCT Standards and program requirements and whose business practices align with accepted business practices in the challenge course, aerial adventure/trekking parks, zip line, and canopy tour industry. 

With Accredited Vendors, we conduct annual compliance reporting to ensure compliance with the requirements and standards they are held to. They are also required to be reaccredited every three years.

It’s important to note that ACCT does not imply that Non-Accredited Vendors are unable to provide the same level of service; they simply haven’t gone through the stringent vetting of the ACCT accreditation process to be recognized as an ACCT Accredited Vendor. 

Some of the general things you should expect to receive while working with an Accredited Vendor are:

• Quality Assurance: Accredited Vendors don’t just meet high standards and follow best practices; they have to prove it to earn accreditation.
• Trust and Credibility: Accreditation is earned, not bought.  Vendors must meet the standards to gain accreditation.  You can rest assured that ACCT Accredited Vendors do what is required. 
• Compliance with Standards: Accredited vendors comply with industry standards and regulations, reducing the risk of legal and compliance issues. They must do this year-round, not just during the Accreditation process. Anyone can say they follow the ACCT standard—ACCT Accredited Vendors have to prove it!
• Consistency: Accredited Vendors are not fly-by-night companies.  They have to have been in business and providing great work for longer periods of time to be able to earn accreditation.
• Safety: Accredited Vendors prioritize safety, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring the well-being of staff, course owners and operators, and the course guests. 
• Expertise: Accredited Vendors are often more knowledgeable and experienced, offering expert advice and solutions. They specialize in the industry, not just general construction. 
• Customer Support: Accredited Vendors typically offer better customer support and after-sales service, ensuring issues are resolved promptly. They seek long-term relationships with clients vs a one-and-done mentality. 
• Ethical Practices: Accredited Vendors follow ethical business practices, ensuring fairness and transparency. The ACCT accreditation process has a system in place to ensure ethical practices. 
• Innovation: Accredited Vendors stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies through required continuing education and training.
• Risk Management: Accredited Vendors must prove they have robust risk management processes, which reduce the likelihood of disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Reputation: Working with accredited vendors can enhance your own business reputation by showing guests you invest in their safety.
• Customization: Accredited Vendors can offer tailored solutions to meet specific needs and requirements.
• Training and Development: They invest in training and development, ensuring their staff are skilled and knowledgeable.
• Performance Monitoring: These vendors regularly monitor and evaluate their performance, striving for continuous improvement.
• Feedback and Improvement: Accredited Vendors value customer feedback and use it to improve their products and services.
• Long-term Relationships: Accredited Vendors aim to build long-term relationships with their clients, fostering loyalty and trust.

Choosing an accredited vendor can provide these numerous advantages, contributing to overall business success and customer satisfaction.

 

To ensure ongoing compliance with the policies and requirements, Accredited Vendors shall:

• Maintain Business-to-Business ACCT Membership.

• Submit the completed Vendor Accreditation Annual Compliance Report. 

• Pay accreditation fees.

• Undergo a reaccreditation Site Audit every three (3) years.

• Follow Accredited Vendor Policies