Ed,
The bottom line is that the base shear values using static method and the dynamic analysis should match.
Is your project based on IBC 2000? The IBC 2000 gives a more detailed response spectrum method than the previous UBC 1994/1997.You can go through an excellent atricle on this topic in the latest Newletter of COADE ( OCT 2002 ).
Based on the code( IBC/UBC) that you are using for your project, perform a dynamic analysis and check if the base shear matches w.r.t the numbers provided by your consultant.
Since you are from California, the UBC response spectrum ( and also IBC )is very very authentic ( which I would look with doubt for say India ) , so the comparison of static /dynamic base shear coeffients is the nbest method suitable for you to check the authenticity of the data provided by your consultant.
When making the comparison follow the guidelines provided in the technical article I mentioned before.
A.Bhattacharya
Stress Analyst
Bechtel Corporation
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Anindya Bhattacharya