Project Finance Readiness Consulting, Management Consultancy
Project Finance Readiness Consulting, Management Consultancy FAQ
ATS, Strategic Partnership: Effective Project Evaluation Process
To ensure clear and consistent communication with project owners and prospects, please follow the guidance below.
This message explains the important and complementary roles of ATS and our Strategic Partner, and how both contribute to a disciplined and effective evaluation process.
1. ATS is the primary gateway and leadership point for all incoming projects.
ATS manages the initial intake process and leads the initial vetting and qualification analysis. You engage with project owners, gather critical information, ask the right questions, and evaluate whether the project meets the threshold for further review. This stage is essential: ATS protects the entire process by ensuring that only credible, serious, and potentially viable projects advance. Without ATS’s leadership and judgment at this early stage, the system would become overwhelmed with unqualified projects.
2. Our Strategic Partner is the specialized project-readiness advisor.
Once ATS determines that a project is appropriate for deeper consideration, our Strategic Partner conducts a detailed assessment of the project’s technical, commercial, organizational, and risk foundations. Their role is to determine whether the project is truly “bankable” and capable of withstanding institutional underwriting. Most projects are not bankable at the beginning—ATS ensures that only those with real potential reach this stage.
3. Neither ATS nor our Strategic Partner raises capital, introduces investors, arranges financing, negotiates terms, places securities, or receives compensation tied to financing outcomes.
a. ATS focuses on intake leadership and professional vetting.
i. Our Strategic Partner focuses on readiness and bankability consulting.
ii. Both operate strictly in advisory roles; neither participates in capital-placement activities.
4. The Strategic Partner provides advanced readiness consulting—not direct financing.
After ATS moves a project forward, the Strategic Partner works with the sponsor on documentation, risk alignment, commercial development, and all readiness elements needed for institutional underwriting. This work is technical, analytical, and strategic.
5. In fully bankable cases, the Strategic Partner may guide the sponsor in presenting the project directly to independent lending institutions.
a. These institutions respect the disciplined methodology used in our process.
i. All financing negotiations occur strictly between the sponsor and the lender.
ii. ATS and the Strategic Partner do not negotiate or arrange financing.
6. Compensation depends on the type of engagement and remains strictly consulting-based.
a. We operate under two types of engagements:
i. Fully bankable projects:
When we determine a project is fully bankable, we share in the project’s risk in the sense that our compensation depends on the project successfully completing the underwriting and evaluation process conducted by financial institutions. In these situations, there are no upfront fees, and compensation may include a fixed-amount results component—never tied to financing outcomes and never expressed as a percentage of any funding.
ii. Projects that are not bankable:
The sponsor may engage us through a standard project-readiness consulting arrangement to help cure the gaps identified during evaluation. This is traditional consulting work, billed as a normal consulting engagement. An initial gap analysis is conducted to determine the degree of completeness of project and the areas requiring further development.
* Internal compensation distribution is confidential and not relevant to RDD activities.
7. Your simple, clear messaging to prospects is: ATS serves as the primary gateway for all projects.
a. We manage the intake and vetting process and, when appropriate, we advance the project to our Strategic Partner, who specializes in project-readiness and bankability preparation.
8. When unsure, ask.
a. If you ever feel uncertain about what to say or how to describe our roles, please ask before responding. Clear communication protects all of us, maintains our credibility, and ensures proper alignment.
What Sponsors Fit & What Sponsor Do Not Fit
Proceed only with Sponsors who:
1. Seek financing for a specific project, not for a fund, investor pool, private placement, or equity raise.
2. Have basic project fundamentals (site control, feasibility work, technical progress, commercial steps).
3. Use project-finance language (readiness, development milestones, bankability, institutional expectations).
4. Are willing to follow our structured readiness process without imposing investor-based or securities-driven models.
Do not proceed with Sponsors who:
1. Present PPMs, equity offerings, investor programs, or securities-driven fundraising.
2. Expect ATS to raise capital, find investors, or place equity or notes.
3. Emphasize ROI to investors, equity splits, or commission-based structures.
4. Attempt to dictate compensation terms, investor commissions, or fundraising mechanics.
Project Customization
As project finance readiness consultants, our role is to help developers, owners, and sponsors understand the standards, documentation, and organizational elements typically required by institutional lenders and financial institutions. Each project is unique, and our advisory approach is tailored to its technical, commercial, and operational circumstances. Customization is therefore a core principle of how we work.
Project finance readiness consulting involves providing specialized guidance so that project sponsors can position their initiatives for independent review by third-party institutions. Our activities center on identifying readiness gaps, clarifying required improvements, and assisting sponsors in aligning their projects with industry expectations. Throughout this process, we remain strictly advisory and do not engage in any activities involving capital sourcing, introductions, negotiation, or financial intermediation.
Upon receiving the initial project basic data sheet — which includes project identification details and initiates the KYC process — we consider this the first step in our collaboration. Once ATS confirms that the project meets the intake threshold and both parties agree to proceed, we coordinate the introduction to our Strategic Partner firm. A corporate officer from that firm then arranges an orientation call with the project stakeholders to understand the project, outline our respective roles, and clarify expectations and next steps.
ATS, Global Strategic Partner
We are management consultants dedicated to helping project sponsors achieve the level of readiness required for institutional evaluation. Through experience, we have observed that the vast majority of projects—regardless of sponsor professionalism—are not initially at this stage. Our technical, commercial, and organizational assessments help sponsors address these issues and progress toward bankability.
Our Strategic Partner focuses on advanced readiness analysis, risk identification, documentation alignment, creditworthiness considerations, and the full suite of preparatory work required for institutional underwriting. Neither ATS nor our Strategic Partner raises capital, arranges financing, negotiates with financial institutions, or participates in any activity restricted under U.S. laws and regulations governing investment services.
The readiness process enables sponsors — once properly prepared — to approach lending institutions independently and on their own behalf. All financing discussions that may occur at any stage are strictly between the sponsor and those institutions, without involvement of ATS or its Strategic Partner.
Shovel-Ready and Financing-Ready Projects
A project is considered shovel-ready when all planning, permitting, and regulatory requirements are completed, and construction could begin without delay. This includes feasibility studies, environmental assessments, design development, land acquisition, and all relevant approvals.
A project is considered financing-ready when, in addition to being shovel-ready, it has been structured, documented, and evaluated in a manner that aligns with institutional underwriting expectations. This includes robust financial modeling, commercial agreements, risk assessments, and all supporting materials required for independent evaluation.
A project can be shovel-ready without being financing-ready. Our advisory work focuses on helping sponsors bridge this gap.
Understanding Project Viability
Projects differ significantly depending on location, ownership structure, risk profile, regulatory environment, commercial strategy, timing, and market context. Because no two projects are identical, our advisory approach is always adapted to the specific information and objectives provided by the sponsor.
Qualified and fully prepared projects may, at the sponsor’s discretion, engage directly with third-party institutions for potential transactions, including investments, financing, acquisitions, securities offerings, joint ventures, or other arrangements. ATS and its Strategic Partner do not participate in these negotiations or perform any activity that could be interpreted as financial intermediation.
Project Readiness Evaluation Process
ATS manages the intake process and ensures that only projects with credible potential advance for deeper analysis. Once ATS determines that a project meets this threshold, it is forwarded to our Strategic Partner for further assessment.
The Strategic Partner conducts a detailed evaluation covering technical, commercial, operational, and financial-readiness considerations. If greater development is required, project finance readiness consulting (PFRC) may be offered at standard consulting rates. If the project is already fully prepared, the sponsor may independently pursue contact with financial institutions or other stakeholders.
There are no upfront fees in cases where the Strategic Partner determines a project is genuinely fully bankable based on its own rigorous assessment. Compensation in such cases relates exclusively to consulting work and never to financing outcomes.
Communication and Workflow
Once ATS receives the completed project form and confirms that the required information is provided, the following process takes place:
1. ATS performs the threshold evaluation.
2. If the project qualifies, ATS introduces the sponsor to a senior representative of the Strategic Partner.
3. The Strategic Partner conducts an orientation call and begins its assessment.
4. If additional information or clarification is needed, the Strategic Partner may contact ATS or the RDD.
5. If the project is not shovel-ready or financing-ready, PFRC may be offered where appropriate.
6. If the project meets readiness standards, the sponsor may proceed independently to approach institutions of its choosing.
* RDD involvement ends upon the introduction to the Strategic Partner’s corporate officer.
Project Review Schedule
Projects are consolidated and transmitted once per week to ensure disciplined processing and follow-up. The Strategic Partner’s review may take 10 business days or more, depending on complexity and completeness of materials.
Readiness, Not Capital Placement
Throughout the entire process, ATS and its Strategic Partner operate strictly within advisory boundaries. All preparation work is intended to help project sponsors understand and meet institutional requirements. No party within ATS or its Strategic Partner introduces investors, arranges financing, brokers transactions, or participates in activities requiring registration or licensing.
How long has ATS been existence?
ATS was started more than forty years ago. Below are some of the growth actions over this time.
• Ted Landgraf started contract, cost reduction work in 1979, as a sole proprietorship in Renton, Washington, United States.
• Procurement Cost Reduction, Procurement Outsourcing, was added a few years later.
• Project Finance Readiness Consulting, Project Finance, were officially added in 1993.
• The company started operating as Compass NW in the mid 1990’s.
• Growth solutions from e-Commerce, web, internet marketing, and technology were utilized in the organization to grow clients, along with offering custom solutions to clients in 1995.
• After much testing in the marketplace, working remote became a core practice in 1999.
• The company grew into other nations in procurement, outsourcing, training, and other scalable solutions in the early 2000’s.
• The company re-branded to Above the Standard Procurement Group, Inc., and ATSPG Franchising Inc. in 2009 to support the corporate growth in growth solutions, along with the Franchising of the Procurement Division.
• In 2015, it was decided to maintain the franchise owners, without growing more franchisees.
• In 2015, we started offering an official partner program, known today as the Relationship Development Director Program.
• Our corporation was moved to Nevada for tax, compliance, and ease of business in 2017.
• In 2021, a decision was made to place some of our legal entities to Wyoming as it is one of the best places to do business for tax, compliance, and ease of business (ATSP Group, LLC and ATS Above the Standard LLC).
• We currently continue to grow with more than 1,000 partners, increased projects, acquired clients, support, and much more!
What countries does ATS not work in?
We review projects in many nations with the exception of the following: Afghanistan; All African Nations; Belarus; Central African Republic; China; Cuba; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Hong Kong; Iran; Iraq; Lebanon; Libya; Mali; Myanmar; Nicaragua; North Korea; Russia; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Syria; The Balkans; Ukraine; Venezuela; Yemen; and Zimbabwe.
What industries does ATS work in for project finance readiness consulting?
Biofuel; Biomass; Carbon Emission Control Projects; Energy Storage; Environmental Social and Governance Projects; Geothermal; Hospitality; Hydro Power; Infrastructure; LNG; Natural Gas; Oil and Gas; Real Estate; Solar; Tech; Telecommunications; and Water Production and Conservation.
What are the key review areas for a project?
“We refrain from disclosing the results of our project assessments and the reasons for project rejections in individual cases to safeguard proprietary and confidential information, in alignment with our corporate policy.” When conducting due diligence for projects, a wide range of areas are reviewed as seen below (to assess the viability, risks, etc.).
Below is a comprehensive list of essential project data typically reviewed during the due diligence process.
Project Overview
· Description of the project, its objectives, and scope.
· Location and site details.
· Project timeline and milestones.
Legal and Regulatory Aspects
· Permits, licenses, and regulatory approvals.
· Environmental impact assessments and compliance with environmental regulations.
· Zoning and land use regulations.
Financial Information
· Historical financial statements of the project sponsor(s).
· Projected financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
· Cost estimates and budget for the entire project.
· Breakdown of project costs (construction, equipment, permits, etc.).
· Sources and uses.
Principals' Equity Commitment and Financial Capacity to Execute the Project
Market and Demand Analysis
· Market analysis detailing demand for the project's products or services.
· Competitive analysis.
· Pricing strategy.
Technical Aspects
· Engineering and technical studies.
· Technology and equipment specifications.
· Construction plans and progress reports.
Management and Team
· Qualifications and experience of the project management team.
· Key personnel resumes.
· Organizational structure.
Risk Factors
· Identification of potential risks and challenges.
· Risk mitigation strategies.
· Insurance coverage details.
Contracts and Agreements
· Construction contracts.
· Supply (feedstock) agreements.
· Offtake agreements (for the sale of the project's output).
· Power purchase agreements (for energy projects).
Operational Considerations
· Operating and maintenance plans.
· Staffing requirements.
· Long-term operational costs.
Intellectual Property
· Patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property assets related to the project.
Taxation and Legal Issues
· Tax implications and strategies.
· Legal structure of the project entity.
· Outstanding litigation or legal disputes.
Sensitivity Analysis
· Sensitivity analysis of key project variables (cost, revenue, interest rates) to assess the project's resilience against market fluctuations.
Compliance and Ethics
· Compliance with ethical standards and corporate governance practices.
· Anti-corruption and bribery policies.
Documentation
· All legal documents related to the project, including contracts, permits, and agreements.
· A thorough review of these essential project data points allows lenders and investors to make well-informed decisions regarding project financing, helping them understand the project's feasibility, risks, and potential rewards.
What is project finance readiness consulting?
Project readiness consulting engagements are essential because, in our experience, 99.99% of the projects we review are not truly ready, despite developers believing otherwise.
This gap creates significant challenges in project placement and delays the overall business case process. In a fiercely competitive environment for resources, our strategic partners—expert consultants in project readiness—play a pivotal role in addressing these issues.
Readiness consulting enhances project viability, identifies and mitigates risks, and ensures efficient resource utilization. It fosters stakeholder alignment with project goals, ensures regulatory compliance, and delivers expert insights for informed decision-making. By streamlining processes and adopting best practices, readiness assessments improve execution, build credibility with stakeholders and financiers, reduce delays, and greatly enhance the likelihood of project success.
Where do I go for engaging ATS solutions?
Fill out the contact form on our website and we will provide you with the next steps.
Where is ATS listed online?
• Corporate: https://www.ATS-Business.com
• LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/above-the-standard
Who is ATS?
We started as a cost reduction and full procurement solutions organization. We later added project finance readiness consulting to our solutions. Our core solutions, advancing projects, boosting profits, and cutting costs, come from project finance readiness consulting and our management consultancy practice.
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