Frequently Asked Questions

 General Questions

  • No. We operate with complete transparency and independence.

    When we're hired by investors, we verify operational claims and identify risks before capital changes hands. When we're hired by manufacturers, we help them get compliant and audit-ready.

    Our commitment is to reshoring U.S. manufacturing. Which means teaching manufacturers how to comply while providing investors the due diligence to verify it.

    Every engagement is governed by strict confidentiality agreements. We don't share proprietary information across clients, and we disclose any potential conflicts upfront. Our role is advisory and verification; not advocacy for either side.

  • We work across all manufacturing sectors, with deep expertise in:

    • Battery manufacturing and energy storage systems (BESS)

    • Automotive and EV supply chains

    • Clean energy and climate tech

    • Aerospace and defense

    • Medical devices and pharmaceuticals

    • Consumer goods and electronics

    If your business involves U.S.-based production, federal tax credits, or institutional investment, we can help.

  • We're based in Dallas and Los Angeles, but we serve clients nationwide. Most consulting engagements begin with a virtual $300 strategy call. On-site audits and facility visits are available for full-day or multi-day projects.

    How do I get started?

    Book your $300 one-hour strategy call.

    This focused session covers operational risk assessment, FEOC/IRA/QC compliance review, and supply chain evaluation with actionable next steps. Normally $400—limited-time 25% discount for year-end compliance deadlines.

 Services & Pricing

  • This is a focused, confidential session designed for rapid decision-making. We cover:

    • Operational risk assessment

    • FEOC/IRA/QC compliance review

    • Supply chain evaluation

    • Actionable recommendations with next steps

    Normally $400, we're offering a limited-time 25% discount ($300) for investors and manufacturers preparing for December 31, 2025, and June 2026 compliance deadlines.

    After the call, you'll receive a summary of findings and recommendations. If you choose to move forward with a larger engagement, this session serves as your foundation.

  • We work across all manufacturing sectors, with deep expertise in:

    • Battery manufacturing and energy storage systems (BESS)

    • Automotive and EV supply chains

    • Clean energy and climate tech

    • Aerospace and defense

    • Medical devices and pharmaceuticals

    • Consumer goods and electronics

    If your business involves U.S.-based production, federal tax credits, or institutional investment, we can help.

  • Yes. We offer three tiers of ongoing advisory support:

    BASIC RETAINER – $2,500/month (7 hours)
    Ideal for manufacturers or investors needing consistent operational and compliance guidance.

    PRO RETAINER – $5,000/month (15 hours)
    For active deals, scaling operations, or ongoing compliance projects.

    EXECUTIVE RETAINER – $9,000/month (30 hours)
    Full-access advisory for portfolio companies, multi-facility operations, or executive-level engagements. Includes on-site visit credits, custom reporting, and dedicated support.

    All retainers auto-renew monthly and include priority booking. Unused hours expire at month-end. Retainers offer 12-25% savings vs. hourly rates.

  • COMPLIANCE AUDIT (for manufacturers): We assess your current operations, documentation, and supplier relationships to identify FEOC exposure, domestic content gaps, and certification readiness. You receive a corrective action plan and roadmap to meet IRA/CHIPS requirements.

    DUE DILIGENCE (for investors): We verify a manufacturer's operational claims, audit their compliance documentation, assess supply chain risks, and provide a comprehensive report on investment readiness. This protects you from post-acquisition surprises and regulatory exposure.

    Both services can overlap depending on your needs. We'll clarify the right approach during your $300 strategy call.

  • Yes. As part of our Advisory Retainer and custom engagement services, we assist with:

    • Federal, state, and academic grant identification and application support

    • University partnership development (capstone programs, R&D collaboration)

    • Public-private partnership structuring

    • Climate impact reporting for energy transition funds

    This work is particularly valuable for manufacturers seeking low-cost R&D collaboration or investors coordinating portfolio companies with innovation ecosystems.

  • Yes. Climate impact assessment and ESG verification are included as part of our standard due diligence and compliance audit services.

    When working with green funds, climate tech VCs, or impact investors, we evaluate:

    • Carbon sequestration and emissions reduction claims

    • Bioeconomy supply chain sustainability

    • ESG compliance for manufacturing operations

    • Energy transition investment validation

    This is the same due diligence process we use for all investors; tailored to climate-focused criteria. No separate engagement required.

Compliance & Regulatory

  • FEOC refers to entities owned, controlled, or significantly influenced by countries designated as foreign adversaries (primarily China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea).

    Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), manufacturers using components, materials, or intellectual property sourced from FEOC-affiliated suppliers are disqualified from receiving federal tax credits—including the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit and Clean Vehicle Credit.

    We help you map your supply chain, identify FEOC exposure, vet alternative suppliers, and document compliance for audit purposes.

  • Domestic Content refers to the percentage of a product's components and materials that are mined, processed, or manufactured in the United States (or Free Trade Agreement partner countries).

    The IRA requires specific domestic content thresholds to qualify for tax credits:

    • December 31, 2025: Final deadline for Domestic Content Safe Harbor (grandfathered eligibility)

    • June 2026: Full FEOC prohibition takes effect

    If you miss these deadlines without verified compliance, you lose access to billions in federal incentives. We help you qualify, document, and maintain eligibility.

  • "Substantial transformation" determines whether a product qualifies as domestically manufactured for tax credit purposes. It's not enough to simply assemble foreign components in the U.S.—the manufacturing process must fundamentally change the nature, character, or use of the materials.

    The IRS and Treasury have specific tests and thresholds for what constitutes transformation. We assess your production process, document the transformation steps, and prepare audit-ready documentation to support your claims.

    This is one of the most scrutinized areas during IRS audits and investor due diligence. Getting it wrong disqualifies you from credits or creates post-close liability for investors.

  • Three major deadlines are converging:

    1. December 31, 2025: Final opportunity to lock in Domestic Content Safe Harbor eligibility

    2. June 2026: Full FEOC prohibition enforcement begins—non-compliance disqualifies you from federal tax credits

    3. 2025-2026 Investment Cycle: Private equity and venture capital firms are accelerating M&A activity in manufacturing and clean energy

    Manufacturers who wait until mid-2026 will face supply chain disruptions, lost tax credits, and diminished valuation. Investors who skip due diligence risk acquiring non-compliant facilities with hidden regulatory exposure.

    That's why we're offering the $300 discounted strategy call—to help you move quickly and strategically before the window closes.

Eric Stevens — ES & Associates

  • Eric Stevens is an operational leader, manufacturing strategist, and author with decades of experience across product development, compliance, and public-private partnerships.

    He authored Evolution Mine, outlining a comprehensive framework for building a bio-based economy—but his focus today is on the immediate challenge: reshoring U.S. manufacturing and ensuring compliance with federal incentives.

    Eric has led international manufacturing initiatives, worked with UN-affiliated development programs, and pioneered sustainable material supply chains. He founded ES & Associates to provide manufacturers and investors the operational intelligence they need to navigate the most complex regulatory environment in modern industrial history.

    Based in Dallas and Los Angeles, Eric serves clients nationwide.

  • First of all, they call us to verify the spreadsheets. Secondly, We're not a multi-layer bureaucracy. When you hire ES & Associates, you work directly with Eric Stevens; not a rotating team of junior analysts.

    We provide:

    • Direct access: Every audit, assessment, and strategy session is led by Eric

    • Speed: We move at the pace of your deal or deadline—not a billable-hour timetable

    • Transparency: Flat-rate projects, retainer clarity, and no surprise fees

    • Industry focus: We specialize in manufacturing compliance and investment due diligence

    If you need a 200-page report to justify a committee decision, hire the Big Four. If you need actionable intelligence to close a deal, get compliant, or scale production—hire us.

  • I'm ready to move forward. What happens next?

    Book your $300 one-hour strategy call: https://esassociates.as.me/schedule/9188da0d

    We'll assess your situation, identify risks, and recommend the right engagement model. From there, you can choose:

    • $300 one-hour strategy call (normally $400—limited-time 25% discount)

    • One-time project (M&A audit, gap analysis, certification prep)

    • Monthly retainer (ongoing compliance and advisory support)

    • Custom engagement (multi-facility rollouts, university partnerships, executive strategy)

    Every option starts with the $300 strategy call.

SCHEDULE YOUR $300 STRATEGY CALL →