Provide AWWU Expert Financial Services

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance
Municipality of Anchorage
-- Purchasing Department --
May 5, 2026
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
RFP 2026GP031
Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility
Provide Expert Financial Services
The Municipality of Anchorage is an equal opportunity employer.
Enclosed is pertinent information for use in preparing your proposal.
Pre-Proposal Conference: N/A
Site Visit: N/A
Questions Due: 12PM Local Time, May 14, 2026
Proposals Due: 12PM Local Time, June 4, 2026
Electronic Submission through BidExpress at or
submission through Sealed Envelope with ONE SIGNED ORIGINAL, single sided, unbound, of your
proposal and, a flash-drive containing a PD BFi dc oEpxyp roefs st h::e M cuonmicpipleatlei typ roofp Aosnaclh, oirnacglued ing
attachments must also be provided.
If applicable, the phone number to call into the Pre-Bid Conferences is 907-343-6089.
Conference lines are opened 5 minutes prior to the Pre-Bid Conference times. To attend
meetings in person, you may do so at 632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 520, Anchorage, AK 99501. FOR
AUXILIARY AIDS, SERVICES, OR SPECIAL MODIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CONTACT THE
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AT 907-343-4590;
OR wwpur@muni.org
For further information contact Purchasing at (907) 343-4590 or email wwpur@muni.org. All
correspondence should include the RFP number and title.
The Municipality of Anchorage reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive
any informalities in procedures.
Sincerely,
Kim Ovsepyan
RFP Buyer
632 West 6th Ave., Suite 520 | Mail: P.O. Box 196650 | Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6650 | www.muni.org | Phone: 907-343-4590

WRFP 2026P031
Provide AWWU Expert Financial Services
Section 1 - General Information
Section 2 - Rules Governing Competition
Section 3 - Scope of Work
Section 4 - Proposal and Submission Requirements
Section 5 - Evaluation Criteria and Process
Section 6 - Selection Process
Section 7 - Sample Contract
Section 8 - Attachments
The Municipality of Anchorage Purchasing Department is pleased to announce that
we have begun using the Bid Express(R) service at www.bidexpress.com.
Electronic bid submission:
* allows for digitally-signed bids
* eliminates costs for delivery of bid packages
* provides error checking and alerts to omissions before submission
* easily accommodates last-minute changes and price cuts
* automates email notifications to alert vendors of solicitation postings and
solicitation changes
If you are not a current user, please register for a free vendor account to reference the
Municipality of Anchorage's upcoming advertisements.
For more information about the service, please refer to the Bid Express service's
Knowledge Center here to get started.
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 1 of 12

For technical assistance, please call the service's Customer Success team at 888-352-
2439, available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm (EST). You can also email
them at bidexpress.support@infotechinc.com.
Additional information and notices of solicitation opportunities will be posted on the
Purchasing webpage at Muni.org.
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to solicit proposals from qualified firms to prepare
and provide expert financial services and testimony before the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska (RCA) regarding capital structure, cost of equity, and a fair
rate of return on equity (ROE) for Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU)
such that AWWU will be able to recover in rates a reasonable rate of return.
1.2 Background
AWWU is a department of the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and is regulated by
the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). AWWU is comprised of two separate
RCA regulated utilities; the Anchorage Water Utility (AWU) (CPCN No. 122) and the
Anchorage Wastewater Utility (ASU) (CPCN No. 126). AWWU has filed revenue
requirement studies on a regular basis since 2004 and anticipates frequent rate
filings in the foreseeable future. AWWU uses the utility-basis approach to measure
the revenue requirement for both utilities.
1.3 Questions
Any questions regarding this Request for Proposal (RFP) are to be submitted in
writing via: wwpur@muni.org
For ease of identification please identify the RFP number in the subject line of any
correspondence.
Purchasing Office hours of operation are: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time Monday
through Friday, excluding Municipal holidays. All questions must be received prior
to the deadline indicated on the RFP cover letter.
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 2 of 12

1.4 Preparation Costs
The Municipality will not be responsible for proposal preparation costs, nor for costs
including attorney fees associated with any (administrative, judicial, or otherwise)
challenge to the determination of the highest ranked Proposer and/or award of
contract and/or rejection of proposal. By submitting a proposal each Proposer agrees
to be bound in this respect and waives all claims to such costs and fees.
2.0 RULES GOVERNING COMPETITION
2.1 Examination of Proposals
Proposers should carefully examine the entire RFP and any addenda thereto, and
all related materials and data referenced in the RFP. Proposers should become fully
aware of the nature of the work and the conditions likely to be encountered in
performing the work.
2.2 Proposal Acceptance Period
Award of this proposal is anticipated to be announced within 90 calendar days,
although all offers must be complete and irrevocable for 120 calendar days following
the submission date.
2.3 Confidentiality
The content of all proposals will be kept confidential until the selection of the
Contractor is publicly announced. At that time the selected proposal is open for
review. After the award of the Contract, all proposals will then become public
information.
2.4 Proposal Format
Proposals are to be prepared in such a way as to provide a straightforward, concise
delineation of the Proposer's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of this RFP.
Emphasis should be concentrated on
1) conformance to the RFP instructions.
2) responsiveness to the RFP requirements.
3) completeness and clarity of content.
2.5 Signature Requirements
All proposals must be signed (electronically through BidExpress or DocuSign) by an
officer or other agent of a corporate vendor if authorized to sign contracts on its
behalf; a member of a partnership; the owner of a privately-owned vendor; or other
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 3 of 12

agent if properly authorized by a power of attorney or equivalent document. Signature
on the "Letter of Transmittal" (See Para 4.3) will meet this requirement.
Failure to sign the Proposal is grounds for rejection. The name and title of the
individual(s) signing the proposal must be clearly shown immediately below the
signature.
2.6 Proposal Submission Requirements
2.6.1 Electronic Submission through BidExpress
2.6.1.1 Bid Express :: Municipality of Anchorage
(OR)
2.6.2 Submission through Sealed envelope
2.6.2.1 ONE ORIGINAL, single sided unbound of the proposal must be
received by the Municipality prior to the date and time specified in the
cover letter.
2.6.2.2 IN ADDITION to the copies required by paragraph 2.6.2.1
above, provide a flash drive containing a PDF copy of the complete
proposal, including attachments.
2.6.2.3 All copies of the proposals shall be submitted in a single sealed
cover which shall be plainly marked as a Request for Proposal
Response with the Number and Title prominently displayed on the
outside of the package.
2.6.2.4 Proposals must be delivered or mailed to:
Physical Address
Municipality of Anchorage
Purchasing Department
632 W. Sixth Avenue, Suite 520
Anchorage, AK 99501
2.6.3 Faxed or emailed proposals will NOT be accepted.
2.7 News Releases
News releases by or on the behalf of any Proposer pertaining to the award resulting
from the RFP shall not be made without prior written approval of the Municipal
Purchasing Director.
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 4 of 12

2.8 Disposition of Proposals
All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become the property of the
Municipality of Anchorage. One copy of the submitted material shall be retained for
the official files of the Purchasing Department and will become public record after
award of the Contract.
2.9 Oral Change/Interpretation
No oral change or interpretation of any provision contained in this RFP is valid
whether issued at a pre-proposal conference or otherwise. Written addenda will be
issued when changes, clarifications, or amendments to proposal documents are
deemed necessary by the Municipality.
2.10 Modification/Withdrawal of Proposals
A Proposer may withdraw a proposal at any time prior to the final submission date
by sending written notification of its withdrawal, signed by an agent authorized to
represent the agency. The Proposer may thereafter submit a new proposal prior to
the final submission date; or submit written modification or addition to a proposal prior
to the final submission date. Modifications offered in any other manner, oral or written
will not be considered. A final proposal cannot be changed or withdrawn after the
submission date, except for modifications requested by the Municipality after the date
of receipt and following oral presentations.
Modifications to electronically-submitted proposals may be made any time prior to
the proposal deadline using BidExpress.
2.11 Late Submissions
PROPOSALS NOT RECEIVED BY THE DATE AND TIME AND AT THE
LOCATION SPECIFIED IN THE RFP COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED AND WILL BE RETURNED UNOPENED.
2.12 Rejection of Proposals
The Municipality of Anchorage reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if
determined to be in the best interest of the Municipality.
2.13 Equal Employment Opportunity Contract Compliance
2.13.1 Every municipal contract shall include language substantially the same as the
following: "The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or physical or mental disability. The
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 5 of 12

contractor will comply with all laws concerning the prohibition of discrimination
including, but not limited to, Title 5 and Title 7 of the Anchorage Municipal Code."
2.13.2 Every municipal contract shall state, in all solicitations or advertisements for
employees to work under the contract, that all qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin,
ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or physical or
mental disability.
3.0 SCOPE OF WORK
3.1 Professional Services
Work under this contract consists of preparing and providing expert financial services
and testimony before the RCA regarding capital structure, cost of equity, and a fair
rate of return on equity for Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility such that AWWU
will be able to recover in rates a reasonable rate of return.
3.1.1 The Contractor shall on an assigned basis perform the following:
A. Provide analysis, recommendations, expert testimony, and exhibits
necessary to assist AWWU in the support of a fair rate of return on equity
and reasonable overall rate-of-return in water and wastewater revenue
requirement or plant replacement surcharge mechanism filings. The
Contractor's testimony should address, but is not limited to, the importance
of capital structure, the relationship of capital structure to cost of equity,
capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and discounted cash flow (DCF)
estimations of cost of equity for AWWU, an analysis of financial risk and
business risk, and a recommendation for return on equity and capital
structure to be used in the development of the revenue requirements.
B. Respond to data requests and review testimony prepared by AWWU
personnel and Intervenors.
C. Interact and coordinate studies and testimony with AWWU outside
regulatory counsel.
D. Interact with other external consultants of AWWU to ensure data
simultaneously filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska is
consistently supported.
E. Prepare for and attend hearing(s) telephonically and in Anchorage,
Alaska, as may be required, to defend testimony.
F. Participate in other matters consistent with area of expertise and practice
by mutual consent.
3.1.2 Work will be assigned by Contract Task Order(s) (CTO) which will have a
negotiated scope and fee. Once scope and fee are agreed upon, a Notice-to-
Proceed will be issued and made a binding part of the Term Contract. The Notice-
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 6 of 12

to-Proceed will state the scope of work, maximum fee allowable, and completion
date.
4.0 PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To achieve a uniform review process and obtain the maximum degree of
comparability, it is required that the proposals be organized in the manner specified
below. Proposals shall not exceed twenty (20) pages in length (excluding letter of
transmittal, resumes, title page(s), index/table of contents, required attachments, or
dividers). One page shall be interpreted as one side, single-spaced, letter size (8-
1/2" X 11") sheet of paper, or its electronic equivalent. Excess pages will be
removed prior to evaluation, which could result in incomplete responses and lower
scores.
Proposals should not include any use of the municipal seal. The use of the
municipal seal (Logo) is limited by code AMC 8.30.085.a.b. which states.
AMC 8.30.085 - Use of Seal without permission prohibited.
A. Pursuant to section 1.40.030 unauthorized use of the municipal seal is
prohibited.
B. Upon conviction, unauthorized use is punishable by fine of not more than
$500.00, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both.
4.1 Title Page
Include the RFP number and subject, the name of your firm, address, telephone
number(s), name of contact person, contact information (phone number, email
address), and date.
4.2 Table of Contents
List the proposal's sections with page numbers. Include the page numbers for each
RFP Evaluation Criterion.
4.3 Letter of Transmittal (Limited to two (2) pages).
4.3.1 Briefly state your firm's understanding of the services to be performed and
make a positive commitment to provide the services as specified.
4.3.2 List your company's contact for this RFP along with their phone number and
email address.
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 7 of 12

4.3.3 Provide the name(s) of the person(s) who are authorized to make
representations for your firm, their titles, address, email, and telephone
numbers.
4.3.4 The letter of transmittal must be signed by a corporate officer or other
individual who has the authority to bind the firm.
4.4 Evaluation Criteria
4.4.1 Firm Qualifications and Experience
Detail the firm's experience in the same or similar areas of expertise,
stability, and its adaptability to providing the required services in
Paragraph 3.1.1, including previous experience, if any, with similar Alaska
clients.
Provide at least three (3) references for which your firm has provided the
same or similar services. Include a point of contact, telephone number,
and a brief description of the services provided.
4.4.2 Qualifications and Experience of Expert Witness
Provide detailed information on the qualifications and experience of the
Expert Witness as it relates to the required services in Paragraph 3.1.1,
demonstrating capabilities to perform this type of work. Include a point
of contact, telephone number, and a brief description of the services
provided.
Provide a list of matters involving a public utility that include the
contractor's cost of capital testimony as part of a rate proceeding or
other financial filing, such as a surcharge mechanism or tracker. Include
the following information, if available, for each identified proceeding or
filing: name of utility, jurisdiction, docket number or filing number;
recommended cost of equity; approved, accepted, and stipulated or
settled cost of equity.
Provide a copy of written testimony or a written filing in support of a cost
of capital recommendation that included CAPM and DCF analysis.
Provide detailed information on any other professional experience
related to cost of capital issues, including published articles or opinions.
4.4.3 Key Project Personnel, Subconsultants, and Availability of Support Staff
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 8 of 12

Identify key project personnel, subconsultants, and availability of support staff
expected to provide services on behalf of the firm. Resumes should be
included for each of the key project individuals and subconsultants
referenced.
4.4.4 Contractor Availability
Describe the firm's location where the primary services are to be provided and
the ability to meet in person telephonically, and virtually via Teams with
AWWU personnel when required during the performance of the contract.
4.4.5 Project Methodology and Approach
Provide detailed information on the firm's methodology in meeting the scope
of work requirements identified in Paragraph 3.1.1. Describe overall approach
to include any special considerations, which may be envisioned.
4.4.6 Cost
Complete Attachment 1 - Cost Scenario Worksheet
4.5 Fee Schedule
Under a separate cover, submit one (1) copy of a fee schedule for all services that
may be required in performance of this work. The fee schedule shall be fully loaded
to include overhead, G&A, fringe benefits, profit, insurance, etc. The fee schedule
will not be used in evaluations. Only the highest ranked Proposer's fee schedule will
be opened for the purpose of commencing contract negotiations.
5.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS
5.1 Evaluation Criteria Weighting
The criteria to consider during evaluations, and the associated point values, are as
follows:
1. Firm Qualification and Experience 10 points
2. Project Manager 25 points
3. Key Project Personnel, Subconsultants, and Availability of Support Staff
15 points
4. Contractor Availability 5 points
5. Project Methodology and Approach 25 points
RFP 2026P031
Provide Expert Financial Services
Page 9 of 12