Agenda Item
ii. Contract Award ~ Professional Tax Services ~ Federal Clean Energy Rebates ~ Updated 6.5.2025
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education (“the Board”) approve a contract award to TransTax Advisors LLC to provide strategic support and services in identifying and filing for eligible Federal tax credits and incentives related to clean energy initiatives.
Why: Engaging TransTax Advisors, LLC allows DCSD to pursue financial incentives that would otherwise be difficult to identify and secure internally. These include Federal excise tax credits for propane fuel use and EV-related rebates. TransTax will develop strategies, identify eligible opportunities, and file the necessary documentation to maximize DCSD’s tax incentive recovery.
Details: The contract supports DCSD’s clean energy initiatives and cost-reduction strategies by leveraging expert tax services to recover Federal incentives and refunds associated with propane buses and EV infrastructure. TransTax will review historical and current tax and fuel transaction data to identify both retrospective and prospective tax incentive opportunities. DCSD will retain final approval on which opportunities to pursue. TransTax will file claims, manage correspondence, and coordinate any inter-agency communication.
The term of the contract is a one (1) year contract with two (2) optional renewals.
Compensation is entirely performance-based:
25% f any retrospective tax savings/credits/refunds secured.
20% f any prospective tax savings realized during the contract term.
As below, this service does not require competitive solicitation per Board Policy Purchasing DJE:
II. B. Definitions
Professional services may also include services rendered by an individual licensed under Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia who is in good standing and that individual is performing that service.
Examples f professional services include: accountants, actuaries, appraisers, architects, attorneys, brokerage firms, business consultants, educational consultants, engineers, financial advisors, land surveyors, landscape architects, mental health professionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians, program managers, psychologists, public relations professionals, recruiters, researchers, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, speech-language pathologists, software engineers, translators, web designers, and members of state-regulated professions.
Professional services are typically better suited to a qualitative or subjective method of assessment, rather than a rigidly quantitative or objective method of assessment.
III B. 4. Competitive Selection of Capital Projects:
Exceptions to Competitive Selection:
Contracts for professional services, as defined above, shall be awarded in the manner best suited to allow a full assessment of professional abilities and other relevant criteria, while also ensuring an open and fair selection process that engenders public confidence. Competitive bidding seldom will be the best method for selecting professional services.
Financial impact: There is no financial impact associated with engaging TransTax. Compensation is entirely performance-based, aligning TransTax's incentives with the client's success. The fee structure is as follows:
Retrospective Success Fee: A 25% fee is applied to the total value of incentives secured through TransTax's efforts, payable upon realization of these incentives.
Based n Propane Fuel Consumption, we estimate a refund f $660,000.00 for the period July 2021 through December 2024.
TransTax fee from this amount would be $165,000.00, resulting in a net $500,000 t the district.
Prospective Success Fee: A 20% fee is applied to the projected value of future incentives identified and secured by TransTax, payable upon their realization.
This incentive-based approach ensures that TransTax's compensation is directly tied to the tangible benefits delivered to the client, with no financial obligation unless measurable incentives are secured.
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, 678-676-1483
Mr. Raymond E. Stanley, Executive Director, Student Transportation and Fleet, 678-898-8055
Mr. Bernando C. Brown, Director, Student Transportation, 678-875-0090
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
TransTax Advisors, LLC – Tax Rebates and Credits
Propane Fuel Use and EV-related rebates
Scope
Contract Award – TransTax Advisors, LLC -
Provide strategic support and services in identifying and filing for eligible Federal tax
credits and incentives related to clean energy initiatives. Review Federal and state
tax filings (including support), and any accompanying correspondence to identify any
potential tax savings, credits, or refunds.
Contract/Lease Terms
This is a contract award established for one (1) base year with two (2) optional
renewals.
The contract term will be effective June 30, 2025, through June 29, 2026,
and begin upon Board Approval and a fully executed contract.
The contract is incentive- based, with TransTax receiving a fee of 25% of secured
retrospective savings and 20% of prospective savings.
Background
TransTax Advisors specializes in providing expert tax advisory services for the clean
energy and transportation industries. Through maximizing savings and complying
with evolving tax regulations, TransTax Advisors assists business to ensure financial
efficiency and compliance.
TransTax Advisors, LLC:
• Industry Experts in Transportation and Clean Energy
• Proven Tax Advisory Strategies
• Tailored Solutions for Your Business
The approval of this contract supports DCSD’s clean energy initiatives and cost-
reduction strategies by leveraging expert tax services to recover Federal incentives
and refunds associated with propane buses and EV infrastructure.