Consulting services - avoided costs

The South Carolina Public Service Commission is requesting proposals for consulting services to evaluate avoided cost rates, methodologies, and terms for three utility dockets (Dominion Energy South Carolina, Duke Energy Carolinas, and Duke Energy Progress) under RFP 5400029781, with proposals due August 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Offerors may pursue one or more dockets and must be qualified, independent third-party consultants or experts subject to ex parte compliance under S.C. Code Ann. Section 58-3-260.

Mandatory qualifications include willingness to sign an acknowledgment of ex parte prohibitions, availability for deposition, cross-examination, and testimony before the Commission if requested, and written disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest with jurisdictional public utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. The Commission may award contracts to multiple qualified consultants for the same docket.

The estimated contract period runs November 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. Offerors shall provide an hourly rate for services and any additional applicable pricing rates or fees. Reimbursable expenses include lodging at GSA-established maximum rates and meals at up to $35 per day within South Carolina and $50 per day outside the state.

Evaluation factors are qualifications and performance data, employee or staff expertise, interviews, written conflicts of interest certification, pricing, and any other information deemed relevant by the Commissioners. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible offeror whose offer is determined most advantageous to the State, as determined at a public Commission Business Meeting. Public opening of offers occurs August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM during a Regularly Scheduled Commission Business Meeting. Questions are due July 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. All offerors must register as state vendors and submit signed cover pages and required documentation through www.procurement.sc.gov.