S27027 Public Notice Artesian Water.pdf

Public Notice for OPC Solicitation # S27027

Solicitation Title: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OF THE MARYLAND OFFICE

OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL - CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ARTESIAN WATER

COMPANY, INC.’s APPLICATION FOR A REVISION OF RATES.

Summary:

The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel is an independent state agency which represents the interests of residential and noncommercial users in all matters or proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In all such matters and proceedings, OPC has the rights of counsel for a party to the proceeding, including the right to participate in all discovery, motions, hearings, and appeals. The duties and powers of OPC are set forth in Public Utilities Article §§ 2-204 and 2-205. Following the 2021 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly expanded OPC’s mandate to require OPC to consider the “environmental interests of the State and its residents, including the State’s progress toward meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.”

OPC is seeking expert consulting and testimony services to assist OPC in Artesian Water Company, Inc.’s application to increase rates and charges for services and amend certain tariff provisions (Maryland Public Service Commission Case Number 9907). OPC seeks consultants to review Artesian Water Company, Inc.’s filing, testimony, exhibits, workpapers, discovery responses, and related materials; assist OPC in discovery and issue identification; develop recommended adjustments or policy positions; prepare testimony and exhibits; review rebuttal or surrebuttal testimony; assist OPC counsel in hearing preparation; provide support for settlement discussions and briefing as needed;

and provide technical review or analysis, as requested, to support OPC’s public-facing summaries or communications regarding the case, including after testimony is filed or after the Commission issues an order.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Because this solicitation is related to pending litigation, the nature of the services to be performed for OPC require confidentiality. For additional information, contact OPC Procurement Officer, Sarah DeMaio at Sarah.DeMaio@maryland.gov.

All bids must be received by Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 5 P.M. EST. Bids must be submitted by email to OPC.RFP1@maryland.gov. You must submit a signed mailto:Sarah.DeMaio@maryland.gov mailto:OPC.RFP1@maryland.gov copy of the bid on your firm’s letterhead, signed by an officer, partner or proprietor of the firm no later than the bid deadline.

EVALUATION AND AWARD

• If your offer is selected, you will be required to sign certain State of Maryland affidavits regarding campaign contributions, drug policy, payment of taxes, debarment, discrimination, etc. See attached for sample agreements and affidavits.

Please contact the Procurement Officer, Sarah P. DeMaio (contact information below) if you have any questions or concerns about the sample agreement and affidavits.

• If your bid is selected, your business must be registered with the Maryland State

Department of Assessments and Taxation as a business licensed to conduct business in Maryland. If your business is a sole proprietorship or general partnership, your registration must be active. If your business is a corporation or LLC, your registration must be active and “in good standing.” To check your registration status visit https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch

• The Office of People’s Counsel reserves the right to cancel this RFP; accept or reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, received in response to this RFP;

waive or permit the cure of minor irregularities; and conduct discussions with all qualified or potentially qualified Offerors in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the OPC. The OPC also reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a contract based upon the written proposals received without discussions or negotiations. Further, the OPC reserves the right to issue an award solely for any part or parts of the solicitation.

• Proposals will be reviewed based on the following categories and weightings:

Technical Expertise (40%), Quality of Issue or Policy Identification (40%), Price (20%).

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Questions related to this public notice may be sent to OPC Procurement Officer, Sarah DeMaio at Sarah.DeMaio@maryland.gov. Additionally, questions may be posed by phone at 410-767-8155. As questions are posed, the question and the answer will be circulated by email to all potential bidders.

Thank you for your interest in working with Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel.

https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch mailto:Sarah.DeMaio@maryland.gov