The Vendor is required to provide to determine the costs of retailing agency, with the ultimate goal being the adoption of appropriate retail margins by the commission.
- The specific stores to be selected will include supermarkets of the major retailers serving state and may include a mix of stores located in both urban and rural state.
- All pertinent cost information provided by retailers will be verified.
- Verification of data will consist of one or more of the following:
• Direct measurement (e.g. verifying the size of the milk cooler by physical measurement,
• Comparison of stated costs with information from vendors or others (e.g. stated building cost compared to cost estimate obtained from engineers, developers, or vendors, and
• Reviewing the stated cost estimate procedures and results provided by the store, corporations, and considering the reasonableness based upon apportionment of costs and other available industry information.
- The report to the commission will include, but not be limited to, the following:
• Summary of the processes performed in gathering and compiling collected data.
• Detailed description of the spreadsheet model.
• Analysis of results.
• Per unit cost of retailing for the various size milk containers.
- The commission requires written reports, oral testimony, and responses to cross-examination in a state milk commission informational and rulemaking hearing.
• The retail margin findings will be completed by December 31, 2025.  
• Up to seven days of formal testimony and work sessions before the state milk commission in Augusta directly related to the new cost study and findings.
- The successful bidder will be cooperative with the commission in the following areas:
• To thoroughly review and evaluate any testimony, exhibits or material made available to the commission by interveners and industry spokespersons;
• To identify and develop positions with respect to the issues that have been or should be raised and considered in order to propose adequate rules and rule amendments;
• To assist in preparing cross examination of commission interveners and industry witnesses and in conducting actual examination;
• To prepare and present direct evidence and exhibits on the issues as identified and developed as described above;
• To submit to cross examination on the direct evidence presented;
• To analyze rebuttals filed with the commission and prepare proposed cross examination thereof;
• To assist in making such recommendations or technical adjustments as may be required to reflect the decisions or issues made by the examiners and the commission;
• Assist the commission in proposing reasonable schedules and deadlines for each phase of the work and complete all work according to these schedules;
• Should the commission’s decision in the case be appealed to state superior court or the state supreme judicial court sitting as the law court, assist the commission’s counsel in preparing written argument before the court.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 05, 2025