Request for Proposal 781-6-CB-12 Financial Advisory Services for Student Loan Program

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is soliciting financial advisory services to support its student loan and related bond program through Request for Proposal 781-6-CB-12, issued on April 10, 2026, with proposals due by May 10, 2026, at 11:30 PM CT. Contractors must submit a three-part proposal entirely through the THECB Vendor Client Gateway, including a single Excel file with pricing details and two PDF volumes containing qualifications, project plan, references, along with mandatory attachments for conflict of interest disclosure, execution of proposal, and a transmittal letter, each not exceeding 75 MB. The scope requires comprehensive support for bond issuance activities, including annual arbitrage and yield restriction calculations, cash flow modeling for the Hinson-Hazelwood loan portfolio, development of financing plans, preparation of bond offering documents, and advisory services to rating agencies and purchasers, with all deliverables becoming THECB’s sole property upon payment. Performance will be evaluated based on experience and qualifications, weighted at 60%, and budget reasonableness at 10%, with award determined using a best-value trade-off approach that favors technical merit over lowest price, consistent with Texas Government Code §2157.003. Contractors must demonstrate at least five years of municipal finance and student lending experience, comply with state ethical standards, and disclose prohibitive conflicts such as prior THECB employment within the last twelve months, ownership by foreign adversaries, or discrimination against firearms businesses; failure to disclose may disqualify the proposal. Key requirements include cybersecurity insurance coverage for data breaches, reporting unauthorized disclosures within one hour, and affirming U.S. work authorization for all personnel. The contract may be extended by THECB for up to twelve months and is subject to non-appropriation, meaning termination may occur without penalty if state funds are unavailable. Invoices must be submitted electronically to accountspayable@highered.texas.gov and must include TIN and PO number, with payments contingent on appropriated funds and subject to state debt offset. The contract is administered from THECB’s office in Austin, Texas, and no formal contract type is designated, though pricing structures indicate a Firm Fixed Price arrangement. All submissions must be completed via the specified electronic portal, with no mail, fax, or hand-delivery permitted.