Burlington Electric Department Management and Business Process Audit

Background
The Vermont Department of Public Service is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies to provide a qualified independent consultant for a comprehensive business process audit of the City of Burlington Electric Department (BED). This audit is in relation to the pending case before the Vermont Public Utility Commission (Case No. 25-2607-INV) and aims to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of BED's business processes and internal quality control systems. The focus will be on identifying root causes of persistent regulatory failures and recommending remedial actions.

Work Details
The contractor will conduct a comprehensive business audit that includes:

1. A preliminary assessment of notable issues and preparation of a work plan.
2. Assessment of regulatory quality controls, including compliance monitoring systems and regulatory filing processes.
3. Assessment of operational management controls, including organizational policies and decision-making procedures.
4. Assessment of financial quality controls related to revenue management and budget compliance.
5. Assessment of cross-functional management systems, including staff training programs and performance metrics.
6. Conducting root-cause analyses to identify systemic failures in regulatory practices.

Deliverables include an audit work plan within 30 days, monthly progress briefings, draft and final reports with prioritized recommendations, presentations to stakeholders, attendance at public hearings, critique of filings from BED, preparation for legal proceedings, and collaboration with Department staff.

Period of Performance
The contract period will be for five years, anticipated to start in April 2026.

Place of Performance
The services will primarily be performed in Montpelier, Vermont.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must comply with specific requirements including:

- Registration with the Vermont Secretary of State's office.
- Obtaining a Contractor’s Business Account Number from the Vermont Department of Taxes.
- Adherence to worker classification compliance requirements for bids exceeding $250,000.
- Submission of a Certificate of Compliance.
- Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.