Southern Company Technical Shared Services (TSS) is moving contractor prequalification for onsite labor from Avetta® to Veriforce®. According to the notification TSS sent contractors, Veriforce began reaching out to affected companies on August 4, 2026, and the transition was expected to be complete by September 30, 2026.
If your company still hasn’t finished Veriforce qualification, you’re not alone. In our experience, platform switches like this leave plenty of contractors partway through registration, waiting on a document, or unsure whether they’re still eligible. This guide covers what changed, what Veriforce typically asks for, and what to do now.
Need it handled? A Veriforce® Management Plan puts a dedicated Cascade consultant on your account.
The Sept 30 deadline has passed. What if we haven’t finished Veriforce?
Start now, and confirm your status with your TSS contract administrator. The notification set September 30, 2026 as the expected completion date. Southern Company hasn’t posted a public update since, so your contract administrator is the right person to tell you whether your company is still eligible for new TSS work while you finish.
In the meantime:
- Keep your Avetta account active. Don’t end your TSS connection in Avetta until Veriforce shows you as qualified. The notification was clear on this.
- Finish Veriforce registration and upload the documents you already have: COI, EMR letter, OSHA 300A and written safety programs.
- Answer reviewer requests quickly. Deficiencies are usually what stretch out qualification, not registration.
What Is Southern Company Technical Shared Services (TSS)?
Southern Company Technical Shared Services (TSS) supports construction, maintenance, engineering, and technical operations across portions of Southern Company’s utility network. Contractors performing work through TSS are required to meet contractor prequalification standards before beginning or continuing onsite work.
Like many large utilities and industrial organizations, Southern Company uses contractor management software to verify that vendors maintain current safety documentation, insurance, and other compliance requirements before work begins.
Why Are Companies Moving Between Contractor Compliance Platforms?
Across the energy, manufacturing, utility, and industrial sectors, hiring clients periodically evaluate their contractor management programs. It’s becoming increasingly common to see organizations transition between platforms such as Veriforce®, Avetta®, and ISNetworld® as they refine how contractor risk is managed.
Although Southern Company has not publicly detailed every reason for selecting Veriforce, contractor platform changes are often driven by factors such as:
- Improved contractor risk management
- Better visibility into supplier compliance
- Standardized qualification processes
- Enhanced reporting capabilities
- Enterprise-wide contractor management initiatives
For contractors, the reason behind the change is less important than ensuring their company completes the new qualification process on time.
What Is Changing for Contractors?
Southern Company TSS now manages contractor qualification for onsite labor through Veriforce instead of Avetta. Contractors should expect to submit or maintain documentation such as:
- Safety information
- Insurance documentation
- Company qualification information
- Contractor compliance records
- Ongoing annual updates
Companies that successfully complete Veriforce qualification will remain eligible for Southern Company TSS work.
Don’t Cancel Your Avetta® Account Yet
One of the most important points in Southern Company’s notification is that contractors should not immediately cancel their Avetta subscription or disconnect their TSS relationship. Instead, Southern Company instructs contractors to:
- Keep their existing Avetta account active.
- Complete the Veriforce qualification process.
- Wait until Veriforce qualification has been successfully completed before ending the TSS connection in Avetta.
Maintaining both systems during the transition helps avoid interruptions in contractor eligibility.
You May Need Both Veriforce® and Avetta®
This transition applies specifically to Southern Company TSS. However, many contractors also perform work for other Southern Company business units or entirely different hiring clients that continue to require Avetta. That means many contractors will temporarily—or even permanently—need to maintain compliance in both platforms.
Companies working for multiple customers often manage requirements across:
- Veriforce®
- Avetta®
- ISNetworld®
- Compass by Bespoke Metrics®
- Cognibox®
- Achilles®
- ComplyWorks®
Each platform has its own document review standards, renewal schedules, and qualification requirements, making proactive compliance management increasingly important.
Southern Company Is Covering the Veriforce Subscription Fee
According to the contractor notification, Southern Company has paid the Veriforce subscription fee for contractors participating in this transition. While that eliminates one expense, contractors are still responsible for successfully completing the qualification process and providing all required documentation.
The subscription may be covered, but approval still depends on meeting Southern Company’s compliance requirements.
Key Dates from the TSS Notice
August 4, 2026: Veriforce began contacting contractors about registration and qualification.
September 30, 2026: the date TSS set for the transition to be complete.
If you’re past that date and not qualified yet, confirm your status with your TSS contract administrator and finish as soon as you can.
What Documents Are Commonly Required in Veriforce?
Every hiring client has different qualification requirements, but contractors are commonly asked to provide documentation such as:
- Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Experience Modification Rate (EMR)
- OSHA 300A Summary
- Written Safety Programs
- Drug and Alcohol Policy
- Employee Training Records
- Safety Statistics
- Company Experience Questionnaire
- Emergency Response Procedures
- Additional hiring-client-specific documentation
Review requirements vary depending on the services your company performs and the risks associated with that work.
What Happens If Contractors Don’t Complete the Transition?
Not completing the Veriforce qualification process can result in:
- Delays in contractor approval
- Ineligibility for new work assignments
- Delayed purchase orders
- Contract interruptions
- Additional administrative review
- Lost opportunities while compliance is being completed
For companies relying on Southern Company projects, maintaining uninterrupted compliance helps keep work moving without unnecessary delays.
Why Platform Transitions Can Be Challenging
Many contractors assume that moving from one contractor management platform to another simply involves uploading existing documents. In reality, every platform reviews information differently.
Documentation that was accepted in one system may require revisions in another. Written safety programs, insurance certificates, OSHA data, and company questionnaires frequently require updates before final approval. Contractors often spend far more time responding to reviewer comments than they expected—especially if they wait until the deadline approaches.
How Cascade QMS Helps Contractors Stay Compliant
Managing contractor compliance takes time that many small and mid-sized businesses would rather spend serving customers and growing their operations. Cascade QMS helps contractors prepare, submit, and maintain contractor compliance programs across today’s leading prequalification platforms, including:
- Veriforce®
- Avetta®
- ISNetworld®
- Compass by Bespoke Metrics®
- Achilles®
- Cognibox®
- ComplyWorks®
Our team assists with account setup, written safety programs, insurance documentation, reviewer corrections, ongoing maintenance, and annual renewals so contractors can stay focused on winning work instead of navigating changing compliance requirements.
With a Veriforce® Management Plan, a dedicated Cascade consultant sets up your Veriforce account, works through Southern Company’s requirements, and keeps the account current year-round.
Get a quote for a Veriforce® Management Plan →
If your company received Southern Company’s transition notice, beginning the qualification process early can help minimize delays before the September 30 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Southern Company TSS switching from Avetta to Veriforce?
Southern Company TSS has selected Veriforce as its contractor prequalification platform for onsite labor projects. Contractors working under TSS will now complete qualification through Veriforce instead of Avetta.
Should I cancel my Avetta account?
No. Southern Company’s notification instructs contractors to keep their Avetta account active until they have successfully completed the Veriforce qualification process.
Will I still need Avetta?
Possibly. If your company works for other Southern Company business units or other hiring clients that require Avetta, you should continue maintaining those accounts and connections.
Is Southern Company paying for Veriforce?
Yes. According to the contractor notification, Southern Company has paid the Veriforce subscription fee for contractors participating in this transition.
What if we missed the September 30 date?
Confirm your status with your TSS contract administrator, keep your Avetta account active, and finish Veriforce qualification as soon as possible. Southern Company hasn’t published a public update on late completions.
Is Southern Company’s Avetta requirement going away entirely?
Not necessarily. The change applies to TSS onsite labor. Other Southern Company business units and other hiring clients may still require Avetta, so check each customer’s requirements before you cancel anything.
Can Cascade QMS manage my Veriforce account?
Yes. Cascade QMS helps contractors establish, maintain, and improve Veriforce accounts by preparing documentation, responding to reviewer comments, managing renewals, and keeping contractor compliance current.