FAQ: Project Finance Readiness Consulting

ATS and ATS Global Strategic Partners Sources?

ATS and its global strategic partners have access to a network of capital sources once the project is verified as both shovel-ready and financing-ready. As mentioned previously, if the project does not meet these criteria, we may offer assistance through our project finance readiness consulting services or decline to proceed.

How do I find out more information about partnering with ATS?

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How do I reduce our costs in our organization?

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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!

Is each project the same?

Every project is completely different than another, thus all areas, including terms are different. We always start with the project form first to review a project further. 

As project finance readiness consultants, we have cultivated a network of capital sources over the years that highly value our industry expertise. We understand that each project is unique, requiring a tailored approach to meet the specific needs and circumstances of the developer, owner, or sponsor. Customization is at the forefront of our service delivery philosophy.

Project finance readiness consulting involves providing specialized advisory services to assist project developers, owners, or sponsors in preparing their projects for financing. This type of consulting typically focuses on ensuring that a project is well-prepared and positioned to attract financing from various sources, such as banks, project finance providers, or financial institutions.

Upon receiving the initial project basic data sheet, which includes project identifications and initiates the KYC process, we consider it the first step in our collaboration. Once both parties agree to proceed, we facilitate an introduction to our global strategic partner firm. A corporate officer from our partner firm then arranges a conference call with the project's stakeholders to kickstart introductions and gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs, the project itself, our role, expectations, and any other pertinent details.

What are the terms?

Each project is unique, influenced by factors such as its location, associated risks, urgency, ownership, evaluation procedures, timing, market conditions, and various other variables.

Aside from these factors, qualified projects will have the chance to engage in direct negotiations with potential stakeholders for transactions, whether it involves investments, financing, acquisitions, securities offerings, joint ventures, or other agreements. Please be aware that our services do not include financial intermediation, or any activities restricted by U.S. laws and regulations concerning investment services.

What does ATS do with projects?

At the core of our services is project finance readiness consulting, helping project owner’s structure and preparing their projects to meet the necessary criteria for potential project financing. 

For formal clients of our firm, we provide direct access to a global network of project finance providers. These business relationships are available exclusively through our consulting services, ensuring that finance-ready projects can engage with potential funding sources effectively. To learn more, fill out your information at our contact form on our website. We will then provide our project form to you for the next steps.

What are the project review process steps? 

• Project form is emailed to ATS.

• ATS reviews form to ensure first seven of nine questions are YES, with clear details.

• If the project has all the details for each question, ATS Global Strategic Partner (GSP) reviews further.

• If the project has a potential fit, an email introduction of the project owner and our GSP takes place.

• Our GSP engages the next steps with the project owner by email (i.e., initial call, further calls, NCNDA, assessment, etc.).

• Once our GSP receives the requested information from the project owner, more detail review happens.

• At this point, the project is either finance ready or not. If not, our Project Finance Readiness Consulting (PFRC) is offered to those who fit the criteria (if the project is a good fit for PFRC), to see if the project owner would like a proposal. If the project owner engages PFRC, the agreement is signed, and the work of getting the project finance ready begins.

• If the project is finance ready, the project is shared with our exclusive direct sources for review (rare).

• The project then goes to terms. If the project owner accepts the terms, then all the necessary parts of terms engaged, processing, and finances takes place for success of the project.

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; Water Production and Conservation; and Wind.

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 makes ATS and their strategic partners different from other firms?

We are management consultants dedicated to achieving excellence in projects and ensuring they are both shovel-ready and financing-ready.

Through years of experience, we've found that 99.99% of the projects we review are not yet at this stage, even when the developers, owners, and sponsors are highly professional. Our expertise helps position these projects to attain “ready" status. This enables us to engage with our network of capital sources, bridging the gap between technical engineering aspects and the reality of financing in the current environment.

What does “Shovel-Ready” mean?

· A "shovel-ready" project typically refers to a project that has completed all the necessary planning, permitting, and regulatory requirements to commence construction.

· The term originates from the idea that the project is ready for construction to begin immediately, as if workers could pick up shovels and start digging.

· Shovel-ready projects have typically completed feasibility studies, environmental assessments, land acquisition, design development, and obtained necessary approvals and permits.

· They are essentially at the stage where construction activities can begin without significant delays or obstacles.

What does Finance-Ready mean?

· A "financing-ready" project goes a step beyond being shovel-ready and refers to a project that not only has completed all the pre-construction requirements but also has secured or is in a position to secure the necessary funding to move forward.

· This includes having a well-defined financing plan in place, which may involve securing loans, grants, or other forms of financing from various sources.

· Financing-ready projects have typically undergone rigorous financial analysis, risk assessment, and due diligence to demonstrate their financial viability and attractiveness to potential investors or lenders.

· They may also have secured commitments or expressions of interest from financing institutions, investors, or government agencies to provide the required funding.

What is the difference between shovel-ready and finance-ready?

The main difference between shovel-ready and financing-ready projects lies in their focus and stage of development.

· Shovel-ready projects focus primarily on having completed all the necessary pre-construction activities and being ready to start physical construction.

· Financing-ready projects, on the other hand, not only have completed the pre-construction requirements but also have secured or are in the process of securing the necessary financing to support the project's development and construction.

In essence, a project can be shovel-ready without being financing-ready if it lacks the necessary funding commitments or arrangements, whereas a financing-ready project is both prepared for construction and has the financial backing needed to proceed.

What is the relationship between ATS and ATS’s Global Strategic Partner (GSP) Firm?

ATS's Global Strategic Partner firm oversees project readiness consulting, assessments, and reviews across various continents worldwide, providing access to a network of capital sources.

ATS's RDDs and GSPs consist of carefully vetted individuals and organizations before they become part of our global network. Our GSPs often participate in our advisory board, and vice versa. The leadership of our strategic partners evaluates projects based on their merits, deciding whether to proceed with further processing.

Our GSP is organized by industry, with senior industry leaders serving as both board members and members of the leadership team. They offer technical, commercial, and overall assessment services to projects and qualify them for their network of capital sources capital sources. The assessment prepared by the strategic partner firm is crucial for obtaining approval from capital sources, and is integrated into their underwriting processes. Additionally, when necessary, their professional team collaborates with associated firms to devise credit enhancement mechanisms, supporting the eligibility of our projects.

The strategic partner firm boasts a network of capital sources familiar with our operational methods, eliminating the need for us to actively seek financing. They allocate our projects to the most suitable capital sources to meet our clients' needs.

What is project finance readiness consulting?

Project readiness consulting engagements are essential because, in our experience, 95% 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.

What solutions does ATS provide in procurement, supply chain, and sourcing?

Fill out our contact form at our website. We will then contact you with the next steps.

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

• X: https://x.com/ATSPGroup

Who is ATS?

We are project finance readiness consultants committed to supporting clients in their journey to secure project financing from a diverse range of sources within our network and beyond. Our primary mission is to ensure that every project meets the stringent requirements and standards essential for attracting financing. We guide the projects to achieve a shovel-ready and financing-ready status, preparing them to qualify for their readiness. 

Our dedicated team of industry experts offers comprehensive assistance to clients, guiding them through the intricate process of project preparation and positioning them for successful financing outcomes. Our services do not encompass financial intermediation or any related investment services restricted by U.S. laws and regulations. We are not broker-dealers handling securities transactions.

© ATS