Common Questions from Underground Utility Owners
Whether you’re seeking guidance on an invoice, positive response instructions, or VUPS Member Services,
our FAQ section provides valuable information tailored for Underground Utility Owners.
I have a billing question.
VUPS Accounting Department
Click on the link below to get the form.
Yes, VA811 offers a 2% discount if payment is received at our collection service within 10 days. A 1% discount is offered for payments received within 20 days. If you have questions about the discount plan, please call Tiffany Uhl at (540) 985-9355 Ext. 2001
Yes, E-Bills can be sent on request. Contact Tiffany Uhl at (540) 985-9355 ext 2001 with your request.
Yes, payments should be mailed to VUPS, Inc. at P.O. Box 60970 Charlotte, NC 28260-0970. This is our payment collection service with Wells Fargo Bank.
An invoice is generally mailed on the 4th business day following the month of activity.
The cost of operating the Virginia 811 notification center is divided up among the member facility owners based on the number of notices that they receive each month. The current charge is $1.15 per ticket transmitted.
Contact our Controller, Tiffany Uhl.
Phone: (540) 985-9355 ext 2001
OR
Accounting Assistant, Heather Minnix
Phone: (540) 985-9355, ext. 2024
Fax (540) 342-8250
Mail: VUPS, Inc.
1830 Blue Hills Circle NE
Roanoke, VA 24012-8661
How do I respond to tickets?
Positive Response Instructions
The Positive Response System is the excavator-operator information exchange system that is required by §56-265.16:1.E of the Code of Virginia. The system provides the means for members or their contract locators to respond to a notice of excavation and report that the member has either marked their underground lines or has no facilities in the excavation area.
A member or their contract locator can respond to a notice of excavation by telephone or through our Internet site.
Instructions for responding through our Internet site are available here.
Right click and select “Save Target As…” to save the file to your computer for faster printing.
The Positive Response Codes are available here.
If you need an Account and password, call us at 811 or 1-800-552-7001 and follow the prompts for “other questions and information” to speak with our Help Desk staff.
You can post the response by dialing – 1-800-552-3120, selecting Option 2 and entering your “User Account Number” and then the ticket number. When using the telephone access to the Positive Response System, follow the prompts and press “1″ for “A” or “2″ for “B”. You can also respond over the internet and by batch process from your receiving software. If you do not have a “User Account Number” or you need to set up batch response, call us at 811 or 1-800-552-7001 and follow the prompts for “other questions and information” to speak with our Help Desk staff.
The script used for the telephone response system is available here.
Right click and select “Save Target As…” to save the file to your computer for faster printing.
How do I join Virginia 811?
Information for Non-Member Utility Owners
The cost of operating the Virginia 811 notification center is divided up among the member facility owners based on the number of notices that they receive each month. The current charge is $1.15 per ticket transmitted. There is no set up charge or annual fee.
Contact:
Marty Mitchem Member Services Liaison. Virginia 811
Statewide: 811 Outside VA: 800-552-7001 Direct Number: 540-283-2539
Or call our Help Desk at 811 or (800) 552-7001 and follow the prompts for “other questions and information.”
Please provide your address, phone number and the type of underground utility that you own. Utility management firms and contract locators are welcome to submit membership requests for their clients, however Virginia 811 must have a contact with the underground utility owner and a direct billing contact. Once we have this information, we will send you a new member packet that contains all of the information you need to start receiving notices.
How do I change my receiving location / info? How do I change my field contact?
VUPS Member Services
The Positive Response System e-mail and fax confirmation messages now contain a name and phone number so that excavators can contact the utility directly in the event that there are questions about a particular ticket. Please contact Marty Mitchem at [email protected] if you need to update your contact information.
Contact Marty Mitchem by phone at 540-283-2539. Please note that in order to prevent duplicate resends we require that Marty have telephone contact with you while we resend the notice. Each resend results in an additional ticket transmission on your monthly bill!
Contact Marty Mitchem by phone at 540-283-2539, or the HelpDesk at 811 or (800) 552-7001 and follow the prompts for “other questions and information.”
How do I change my database?
Member Mapping Instructions
Instructions on using the Grids/Gridlets program.
For faster printing, right click and select “Save Target As…” to save the file to your computer.
Instructions on using the Polygon program.
For faster printing, right click and select “Save Target As…” to save the file to your computer.
If you need an account and password, visit our Help Desk or call us at 811 and follow the prompts for “other questions and information” to speak with our Help Desk.
How do I report an Incident to the State Corporation Commission?
Report Incident