CRA International to Conduct Auction for FirstEnergy's Ohio Subsidiaries
CRA International (CRAI) announced that an auction process will be conducted for FirstEnergy's (FE) Ohio subsidiaries - Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, and The Toledo Edison Company - to procure full requirements service for their Standard Service Offer customers. The auction process will lead up to the auction scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The bidding process will use a descending-price clock auction format. The auction will be managed by the Auction Manager, CRA International, Inc. The auction is being conducted pursuant to approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The Information Session for prospective bidders for the June auction is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026. Instructions on how to join the Webinar session are available on the Auction Information Website. Part 1 Applications from prospective bidders will be accepted starting April 17, 2026, and are due no later than May 5, 2026. For successful Part 1 applicants, the submission window for the Part 2 Application process will begin on May 12, 2026.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on CRAI
About CRAI
About the author

- New Vice President: Charles River Associates announces the return of Hitesh Makhija as Vice President in the Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice, leveraging his expertise in antitrust economics to enhance the firm's competitive edge.
- Extensive Industry Experience: Makhija has significant experience in antitrust-related litigation, having advised numerous Fortune 100 companies on antitrust risks associated with strategic decisions, which is expected to bolster CRA's service capabilities in complex competition matters.
- Global Influence: He has worked through all phases of litigation before regulators in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, enhancing CRA's influence in international markets, particularly in critical sectors such as semiconductors, software, and airlines.
- Academic Background: Makhija holds a BE in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai and an MA in Economics from both New York University and the University of Minnesota, further elevating CRA's professional image and market competitiveness.
- Auction Process Initiated: CRA International has announced an auction for FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidiaries, scheduled for June 9, 2026, aimed at providing full requirements service for Standard Service Offer customers, enhancing market competitiveness.
- Bidding Format: The auction will utilize a descending-price clock format managed by CRA International, ensuring a transparent and efficient bidding process, approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, thereby raising industry standards.
- Information Session Scheduled: An information session for prospective bidders is set for April 16, 2026, providing detailed guidance for participation in the auction, ensuring all participants are well-informed about the bidding requirements and processes.
- Application Timeline: Part 1 applications from bidders will be accepted starting April 17, 2026, with a deadline of May 5, and successful applicants will begin the Part 2 application process on May 12, ensuring a smooth auction execution.
- Leadership Promotions: Charles River Associates has announced the promotion of 11 new Vice Presidents, reinforcing its expertise in Antitrust, Energy, and Life Sciences, reflecting a strong performance in 2025 and optimism for the future.
- Diverse Expertise: The newly promoted Vice Presidents include specialists in life sciences, economic analysis, and the electric utility sector, showcasing the firm's diverse capabilities and deep industry knowledge in tackling complex business challenges.
- Global Business Expansion: These promotions not only enhance the firm's competitiveness in global markets but also strengthen its consulting capabilities across various industries, which is expected to drive future client engagement and business growth.
- Leadership and Innovation: The extensive experience and expertise of the new Vice Presidents will bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking to CRA, further solidifying the firm's leadership position in the consulting industry.
- New Consultant Appointment: Charles River Associates has announced the addition of Dr. Steven Tadelis as a Senior Consultant in its Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise in e-commerce and internet economics to the firm.
- Academic and Practical Synergy: Dr. Tadelis holds a PhD from Harvard University and has held significant economic roles at eBay and Amazon, enhancing CRA's competitive edge in antitrust cases with his extensive experience.
- Industry Influence: As a sought-after testifying expert, Dr. Tadelis's addition is expected to elevate CRA's influence in litigation related to digital markets, particularly in pricing and consumer behavior analysis.
- Global Competitive Advantage: CRA's Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice team includes economists with experience in government antitrust agencies, and Dr. Tadelis's expertise will further solidify the firm's leadership position in the global market.
- Revenue Growth Highlight: CRA International reported a revenue of $751.6 million for fiscal 2025, reflecting a 9.3% year-over-year increase, marking the eighth consecutive year of record annual revenue, driven by strong performances in legal, regulatory services, and management consulting.
- Strong Cash Flow Performance: Adjusted net cash flows from operations increased by 17% year-over-year to $108.4 million, successfully converting 112% of non-GAAP EBITDA into cash flows, showcasing the company's efficiency in financial management.
- AI Integration Strategy: CRA's energy practice launched an AI-driven resource adequacy model known as CRA Adequacy X, emphasizing that while AI can accelerate processes, it maintains rigorous governance in complex environments, highlighting the company's commitment to technological innovation.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management projects fiscal 2026 revenue to range between $785 million and $805 million, showing confidence in sustained growth despite currency fluctuations, indicating the company's competitive strength and clear strategic direction.
- Earnings Highlights: CRA International reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $2.06, missing expectations by $0.01, indicating pressure on profitability; however, revenue grew 11.7% year-over-year to $197 million, exceeding estimates by $6.46 million, demonstrating the company's strong competitive position in the market.
- EBITDA Stability: Non-GAAP EBITDA remained at $24.4 million, or 12.4% of revenue, down from 13.9% in Q4 of fiscal 2024, reflecting challenges in cost control that may impact future profitability.
- Currency Impact Analysis: On a constant currency basis, revenue, GAAP net income, and earnings per diluted share would have decreased by $1.4 million, $0.2 million, and $0.04, respectively, highlighting the negative effects of foreign exchange fluctuations on financial performance, which could affect investor confidence.
- Shareholder Returns: CRA returned $3.7 million to shareholders through dividend payments, maintaining a commitment to shareholders despite profitability pressures, showcasing the company's robust capital management strategy.






