Specifications include, but are not limited to: The DPA seeks assistance from qualified firms and individuals to provide professional public utility consulting service to the DPA in exercising its statutory duty of advocating for the lowest reasonable rates for residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all rate classes and the maintenance of adequate utility service. Such service will include a detailed examination of Artesian s claimed revenues and expenses, its request for an increase in its authorized rate of return, an evaluation of the Company s proposed cost allocation and rate design, and an assessment of its capital budget and expenditures. The DPA s internal staff will work with the consultant(s) in the preparation and presentation of testimony and exhibits and may participate in certain areas of the case which could be incorporated in the consultant s testimony. The successful offeror(s) will be required to analyze the Company s application, schedules and pre-filed testimonies and draft discovery questions. Additionally, the selected offeror(s) will be expected to assist in the development of cross-examination of the utility s prefiled testimony and exhibits to develop, present, and stand cross-examination on direct testimony and to assist DPA Counsel, as needed, in the briefing and presentation of the DPA s case to the Hearing Examiner and to the Commission. This may also include the preparation of surrebuttal testimony. Professional assistance may also be required in the post-hearing phases of the proceedings, which may include the preparation of explanations, summaries, schedules, and exhibits as may be required by the Hearing Examiner, DPA Counsel, or by the PSC.
