Specifications include, but are not limited to: SPU is requesting approach and qualifications from qualified consultants to support and supplement SPU’s strategic initiative and implementation work responding to direction from the Mayor’s Office and City Council and supporting the General Manager and SPU Leadership across SPU’s three utility lines of business – drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and solid waste, as well as corporate wide work. The contract work is on an as-needed basis and is separate from work that is under contract with others. SPU will procure one or more separate contracts for consultants to provide independent, third party economic and financial review, advise and analyses supporting selected utility: • Planning, policy and program initiatives; • Contractual, regulatory and inter-agency negotiations and agreements; • Business innovation and investment strategies; and • Financing, rate structure, and cost recovery approaches. Depending upon the assignment and qualifications, the Consultants may be asked to support SPU in SPU’s expert capacity during negotiations, in meetings with elected officials, external partners and agencies, etc. The Consultants may also be asked to develop internal capacities and capabilities of SPU staff, and/or interact and collaborate with other SPU consultants. PU expects to achieve the following outcomes through this consultant solicitation: • Provide ‘quick read’ consultation or ongoing advice, independent review and analytical support fitting to situational demands and complexity. • Allow Executives to strategically respond to emergent and unplanned SPU needs. • Provide independent perspective and cross-check on key initiatives and priorities. • Supplement the staff’s skill sets for SPU in-house projects. • Support SPU in developing and expanding the group of reliable policy and economics experts and advisors. • Select consultants committed to WMBE inclusion and support the City’s commitment to diversity and the continued growth of the consultant community within the Seattle metropolitan area and region.