RFP

Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Charissa Williams at charissa.williams@fortworthtexas.gov by 10 a.m. on the deadline as specified in Section V. Alternatively, proposals can be submitted on a USB flash drive and delivered to:

City of Fort Worth Financial Management Services Department, 12th Floor Attn: Charissa Williams 100 Fort Worth Trail Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Any proposal received after the deadline specified above will not be considered.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR FIRMS TEAM AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Qualifications and Experience Focus Proposals shall demonstrate the qualifications and experience of the personnel who will work directly with the City rather than describing the general experience and qualifications of the firm. The City will not consider promotional literature of a general nature. The focus should be on recent governmental portfolio management experience within the last five years that is relevant to the scope of services outlined above.

B. Qualifications of the Investment Advisor Firm

1. Describe the firm’s capabilities and experience.

2. List firm experience working with similar organizations, specifically those in local government.

3. Describe how the firm is legally qualified in the State of Texas to perform the work requested.

4. Does the firm have an in-house trading desk? How many employees of the firm are CFA charter holders?

5. Describe the reporting platform to be utilized by the Advisor to ensure compliance with the City’s investment policy, the Texas Public Funds Investment Act, GASB and GAAP report standards, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

C. Qualifications of the Advisor Team

1. The portfolio manager is the person who will be assigned by the proposer to provide advisory services.

2. List the qualifications of the portfolio manager and key personnel who will work on the advisory service team. Include a description of the relevant education and training, certificates and licenses, professional background, and years of experience with work relevant to the scope of services requested.

3. Describe the experience of the portfolio manager, particularly similar services with local government entities. Identify the portfolio manager’s specific role in relevant investment management services and include the performance of the portfolios managed; do not include services where the portfolio manager had a minor or no active role.

4. Provide three (3) client references who have worked with the portfolio manager.

5. If submitting a resume, only include portfolio experience relevant to the scope of services.

6. Provide three (3) client references who are governmental clients where the firm provides the same or similar services.

D. Minimum Qualifications Investment Advisor Firms wishing to submit proposals must meet or exceed the following criteria:

1. Advisor shall be a Registered Investment Advisor as defined and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and be registered in the State of Texas.

2. Advisor shall be familiar with all applicable Texas statutes with regard to qualified investments for public entities.

3. Advisor shall be completely independent of any financial institution or securities brokerage firm or shall fully disclose any such relationships relevant to the firm’s relationship with the City of Fort Worth.

4. Advisor shall have a minimum of $5 billion in Assets under Management on a discretionary and/or non-discretionary basis from governmental entities.

5. Advisor shall have a minimum of ten years of experience in managing government operating and bonded debt funds.

6. Advisor must meet the insurance requirements as set forth in this RFQ, which will be incorporated into the Professional Services Contract.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Each proposal should be accompanied by a letter of transmittal not exceeding two pages which summarizes key points of the proposal and which is signed by an Authorized Officer of the Firm who is responsible for committing the firm’s resources.

1. Basic Information Requirements: a. Name of the firm making the proposal; name of firm principals. Name of firm principal who will be responsible for service provided under this RFQ/contract. b. Name and title of individual preparing and responsible for the proposal. c. Mailing Address: if firm has more than one office, identify which office will be principally responsible for service. d. Telephone and fax numbers of Proposer. e. E-mail address and contact information of firm principal and the individual preparing the proposal. f. Statement that the individual signing the proposal has the authority to commit the firm to the terms proposed. g. Disclosure of the firm’s affiliation or relationship with any and all broker/dealers. h. Amounts and types of insurance carried, including the deductible amount. i. Disclosure of any finder’s fees, fee splitting, payments to consultants, or other contractual arrangements that could present a conflict of interest. j. Disclosure of any pending investigation or disciplinary actions within the past three years. k. Disclosure of gifts, loans, or political contributions to City of Fort Worth officials or employees for the previous twenty-four (24) months. l. Name of Proposer’s legal counsel.

2. Investment Advisor Fee Proposal: City requests that each firm provide fee(s) based on the services as outlined in this RFQ. Please provide all assumptions and calculations. The fee must be “all inclusive”. If the Proposer is proposing that the City bear the cost of incidental expenses associated with a financing, clearly state what type of incidental expenses are proposed for the City to bear. Firms shall include a maximum amount for expenses it expects the City to reimburse. Firms should include a comprehensive statement of conditions under which EACH identified item of expenses may be billed. Costs for expense reimbursement, if any, are to be clearly itemized. The proposal must include a summary of billing rates for additional agreed-upon services that are outside the scope of this RFQ.