Consulting Services to Evaluate Small Generator Interconnect

The State of Maine Public Utilities Commission is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 202604065) for consulting services to conduct a management audit of interconnection costs charged by investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities to small generator interconnection customers. The primary objective is to verify that costs assessed to small interconnecting generators are accurate, properly reconciled, reasonable, and compliant with governing Interconnection Agreements and applicable regulatory standards, with particular emphasis on indirect costs allocation. Successful bidders must demonstrate expertise in utility accounting, cost allocation, and forensic auditing. Key deliverables include a draft comprehensive report due January 31, 2027, and a final report due February 28, 2027. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with one optional renewal period from July 1, 2028 through June 30, 2029. Evaluation criteria utilize a 100-point scale comprised of Organization Qualifications and Experience (35 points), Proposed Services (35 points), and Cost Proposal (30 points), with the lowest cost proposal receiving 30 points and higher bids receiving proportionally fewer points. Interested bidders must submit questions by April 24, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time, and completed proposals must be submitted by May 8, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time via the Vendor Self Service System.

Bidders must disclose any business relationships with Maine's two investor-owned utilities, Central Maine Power Company and Versant Power, or their affiliates within the past ten years, or with any entity that has entered into an interconnection agreement with these utilities within the past three years, as such relationships will be evaluated for potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, bidders awarded a contract may not accept work from these utilities during the pendency of the examination and any follow-on Commission proceeding. The State anticipates making one award from this RFP process and will not seek or accept best and final offers; all bidders are expected to submit their best value pricing with their initial proposal. The cost proposal must be submitted as a fixed amount covering the initial contract period. Payment terms are net 30 upon receipt of acceptable invoices, and the State reserves the right to negotiate with the awarded bidder to finalize the contract or withdraw the award and negotiate with the next-highest ranked bidder if acceptable terms cannot be reached. No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed in the RFP documentation.