Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Department anticipates that the Respondent hired in connection with this RFP will support the legal, consumer affairs, and technical staff of the Department by providing expertise and technical assistance regarding cost-of-service ratemaking.; The selected respondent is expected to provide assistance to the Department and participate in a contested administrative proceeding before the Commission, which has ultimate authority over whether to approve GMP’s proposed rates. The selected respondent’s preparation for and participation in the contested proceeding is expected to include preparing discovery questions and responses, drafting prefiled testimony to be submitted to the Commission, and offering live testimony to the Commission.; Respondent will perform a thorough cost-of-service review of GMP’s rate proposal and assist the Department in evaluating and scrutinizing GMP’s cost forecasts for the MYRP.; The Respondent will be experienced in analyzing the operations, books and records of utility companies for the purpose of setting just and reasonable rates, and be qualified and prepared to render expert testimony regarding and have knowledge of: (1) appropriate accounting standards and practices for an investor-owned electric distribution utility; (2) standards for prudence and cost recoverability; and (3) Vermont and FERC approved cost-of-service cost methodologies for electric distribution utilities. In particular, Respondent will be expected to provide an extensive review of the documentation used to support costs claimed for rate recovery, and to develop recommendations on this point.