Specifications include, but are not limited to: The consultant(s) chosen will be expected to work on a broad range of tasks pertaining to rate cases. Among other things, the consulting services will relate to the following areas: • Detailed cost analyses including review of cost-of-service studies/marginal cost studies, depreciation studies; Plant-in-Service; Cash Working Capital; Rate of Return. • Conducting research to benchmark relevant portions of a rate application and assess whether cost assumptions are reasonably applied. • Review and analysis of utility-specific performance metrics, rate design and revenue requirement calculations including forecast revenue, customer statistics, and the calculation of bill impacts. • Review and analysis of utility-specific cost allocation methods, including internal (i.e., within the utility) and between affiliates and subsidiaries. • Assisting in the review of all petitions and pre-filed testimony, as well as supporting attachments provided by all parties and intervenor witnesses. • Identification of issues for record request prompts necessary for Senior Advisors to make recommendations to the Commission (e.g., side-by-side comparisons between the last electric or gas test year expenditures, and the current test year values to identify new cost categories (including O &M) that may require further justification). • Program and/or project assessments alternatives considered, timing, accuracy of cost estimations, and criteria used in the selections. • Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) including impact assessments of various policies, regulations and activities and their implications for the Utility Industry. • Monitoring or analyzing market and industry-specific trends and relevant financial data.
