R746-420-5. Payments to Independent Evaluator

(1) Payments to the Independent Evaluator selected by the Commission shall be paid by the Soliciting Utility in accordance with terms and conditions specified by the Commission.

(a) The Commission and the Independent Evaluator shall execute a contract approved by the Commission with such terms and conditions as the Commission may approve.

(b) Invoices for the Independent Evaluator's services shall be sent as directed by contract.

(c) After an invoice is reviewed and approved, it will be forwarded to the Soliciting Utility for payment to the Independent Evaluator.

(d) Unless the Commission directs otherwise in connection with a Solicitation, the expenses of the Independent Evaluator shall be reimbursed as follows:

(i) The Soliciting Utility is authorized to collect bid fees that are reasonable under the circumstances of up to $10,000 per bid to defray costs of the Independent Evaluator; and

(ii) The Soliciting Utility may, in a general rate case or other appropriate Commission proceeding, include and the Commission will allow, recovery in the Soliciting Utility's retail rates of any additional amounts paid by the Soliciting Utility for the Independent Evaluator.