SOW - Chief Economist 08-11-2020.pdf

Statement of Work – Economic Services Senior Economic Advisor (AKA Chief Economist) for the Office of Economics and Analytics

Federal Communications Commission

Introduction

The Office of Economics and Analytics is responsible for expanding and deepening the use of economic analysis into Commission policy making, for enhancing the development and use of auctions, and for implementing consistent and effective agency-wide data practices and policies. OEA achieves those goals by (a) providing economic analysis, including cost-benefit analysis, for rulemakings, transactions, adjudications, and other Commission actions; (b) managing FCC auctions in support of and in coordination with FCC Bureaus and Offices; (c) developing policies and strategies, in coordination with FCC Bureaus and Offices, to help manage FCC data resources and establishing best practices for data use throughout the FCC; and (d) conducting long-term research on ways to improve the Commission's policies and processes in each of these areas.

Scope The expertise provided by the senior economic advisor (aka Chief Economist) will support OEA’s efforts to expand and deepen the use of economic analysis into Commission policy making and supporting other OEA activities.

Services

Task 1 – Advisory Services for FCC Economic Analysis

The Senior Economic Advisor will:

Provide FCC leadership and management at all levels with understanding, analysis, and high-quality advice and recommendations related to economic issues before the FCC.

Contribute insights and expertise on the following issues as they relate to the FCC and its work: Antitrust and competition analysis of telecommunications markets, economic analysis of fixed and mobile services, economic analysis of broadband markets, and policies to promote universal service, investment and innovation in telecommunications markets.

Anticipate and highlight potential problem areas in the analysis and development of policies to regulate telecommunications markets, and creativity and feasibility in developing solutions to such problems.

Serve as a principal economic advisor to the Chairman and other senior executives on key economic questions and issues before the Commission.

Work with the Commission’s Bureaus and offices, including their leadership, on matters requiring rigorous economic analysis for rulemakings, enforcement actions, and other key decisions such as providing expert advice and guidance for the creation of complex cost-benefit analyses that include an evidence-based assessment of the problem a proposed regulation is intended to solve and an evaluation of the benefits and costs of alternative solutions for significant rulemakings that have an annual effect on the economy of at least $100 million as well as providing expert advice and guidance for rulemakings with an annual effect on the economy of less than $100 million concomitant with the impact of the regulation. Support includes expert advice on data inputs, creation of economic models, outputs, and written and visual presentation of economic analyses.

Task 2 – Advisory Services for Training and Development of FCC Economists

Work with the senior OEA management and Division Chiefs to help identify new and enhanced skills and training needed for the Commission’s economists, and may assist in recruiting new economists; and, Work with the senior OEA management and Division Chiefs to help develop best practices and procedures to consistently incorporate economic analysis into the Commission’s policymaking;

Work with senior OEA management to develop a comprehensive understanding of FCC needs for specific skills and training in economic and data analysis, based on the latest advances in economics as well as changes in market conditions.

Task 3 – Support of FCC Long-Term Economic Research Program

Mentor FCC economists in their development of relevant economic research, both in terms of idea generation and completion of white papers that build understanding of the industries and markets regulated by the FCC

Deliverables

Most work performed will be providing advice, document review and peer review of white papers. To the extent the Senior Economic Advisor creates new documents, such as drafts of best practices, reference materials to support future economic analyses, and critiques of cost benefit analyses, such documents will be reviewed by the OEA Deputy Office Chief for acceptability. Upon review, should the Deputy Office Chief find a delivered document unacceptable, the Deputy Office Chief will explain the needed changes and document the request in writing (Email is acceptable). Updated drafts of the documents are due within one week after the changes have been requested unless a later deadline has been established by OEA Deputy Office Chief.

Monthly Status Report The senior economic advisor will provide the OEA Deputy Office Chief monthly status reports describing the work performed. The format of the status report will be mutually determined by the OEA Deputy Office Chief and the Senior Economic Advisor within two weeks after the period of performance begins.

Period of Performance (September 2020 – August 2021)