MCQ GROUP LLC CONSULTING MANAGEMENT 100 LILAC STREET METAIRIE, LOUISIANA 70005 TELEPHONE: (504) 836-5070 FACSIMILE: (504) 836?507 9 Louisiana Public-Service Commission Office of Executive Secretary Attn.: Brandon M. Frey Via By Hand Delivery Office of Executive Counsel Attn.: H. Bowman Via Email: Kathmbowman??agoy 602 N.Fifth Street, 12th Floor(Galvez Building)(70802) September 30, 2020 Re: RFP 20-15 Docket No. TBD in Re: Continued Monitoring and coordination with industry and other regulatory agencies regarding the security ofjurisdictional utility generation, transmission and distribution assets. - Dea Secretary Frey: Group, LLC is pleased to respond to the L0uisiana Public Service Commission RFP referenced hereinabove to continue to assist the Commission in monitoring and coordination with industry and other regulatory agencies regarding the cybersecurity ofjurisdictional utility generation, transmission, and distribution assets, including further participation in meetings and other interaction with industry and regulatory agencies to insure a continuing state of preparedness and flow of pertinent information. Our proposal is incorporated herein, as follows: AlPrmOsed'Scope of WorkLWork le Pursuant to the RFP in question, Applicant will be assisting the Commission and Staff in continuing to monitor the area of cybersecurity, including but not limited to existing and potential threats; plans and proposals to combat such threats; latest technology to be used to carry out, and-combat, such threats; the drafting ofrules, if necessary based upon the information gleaned from continued monitoring; and, continuing participation in both industry and regulatory meetings, as necessary. In response to the anticipated scope of representation, MCQ Group proposes to continue its prior and continuing efforts and service in related dockets on behalf of the Commission and Staff. These efforts have included, and shall continue to inclUde, the following: receipt ,monitoring- and analysis of industry and governmental agency reports and cyberalerts; transmission of pertinent information and concerns to the Commission and Staff; Continuing interaction with industry and governmental representatives including but not limited to FBI, NERC, DOE, NARUC, NASEO, NCIJTF, NRC, SPP, SERC and others; and, meetings and consultation with industry cybersecurity management and representatives of governmental security agencies set forth above. . . Mr. McQuaig will continue to maintain appropriate security clearances required to receive and process cybersecurity information and communicate with necessary governmental and industry representatives. In addition to these efforts, Mr. McQuaig will continue to serve as a participatory member of the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee and Cybersecurity Sub-committee, and will facilitate the implementation of the proposed Commission Cybersecurity Program . Finally, Mr.McQuaig will continue to assist the Commission and Staff as its representative in the Core Group of the State Cybersecurity Commission pursing of Cybersecurity/SCIF assets presently in development. 8 Period of Re re entation The time estimated to complete the Scope of Representation is approximately 24 months, or as directed by the Commission. Group and it?s principal consultants have the requisite knowledge necessary to continue to assist the Commission and Staff in cybersecurity related matters. Mr. MCQuaig has served as the cybersecurity consultant for the Commission for the last six years, both informally and in prior cybersecurity dockets. He is a participatory member of the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee and Cybersecurity Sub-committee, and participated in the development of the NARUC Cybersecurity Manual for regulatory utility commissions and associated materials. He has actively assisted Staff in ongoing cybersecurity issues and efforts, including representing the Commission as a member of the Core Group of the State Cybersecu rity Commission working with the LANG and NGA to develop Cybersecurity assets which will include Commission participation; and, holds the requisite security clearances to participate in information sharing critical to the cybersecurity efforts set forth in the scope of representation. As an experienced and senior representative of major telecommunication service providers, senior consultant Rick Demint has the associated experience of dealing with cybersecurity issues and associated regulatory agencies, including a working knowledge of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and its rules and applicable Orders. The experience and institutional knowledge of Group and its principal consultants, Mr. Scott McQuaig and Mr. Rick Demint, in the area of cybersecurity will serve to continue to be invaluable to the Commission and Staff and will avoid the unnecessary time and costs associated with the retention of less experienced and knowledgeable consultants. Confli toflntere Group is unaware of any current or past employment which could result in a conflict of interest regarding this docket. tima fF and All billing will be submitted pursuant to the requirements of the November 10, 2014 General Order of the Commission, and will be issued in strict accordance with the guidelines of the Commission. It is anticipated that the scope of representation and work plan set forth hereinabove will require a maximum total of fees not to exceed $47,650.00 at an hourly rate of $225.00 per hour. It is further anticipated that costs and/or expenses incurred in connection with these efforts will not exceed $1900.00. Accordingly, the total proposed budget for the services of this firm as outside contract consultants consists of the following respective fees and costs: Maximum Fees: $47,650.00 Costs/Expenses: 1,900.00 Total Fees and Costs/Expenses: $49,550.00 In the event you or any member of the Staff need any additional information or clarification of the contents of this Proposal, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the above-referenced Request for Proposal and look forward to being of continued service to the Commission and Staff. Respectfully Submitted, Scott W. McQuaig