REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSALS - FIDUCIARY CONSULTANT

The Cherokee Nation is soliciting sealed proposals for fiduciary consulting services related to the administration of its employee 401(k) retirement plan, with the contract expected to begin upon award and extend through September 30, 2027, with an option to renew for up to four additional fiscal years contingent on satisfactory performance, mutual agreement, and funding availability. The solicitation, designated as Procurement #164679, was posted on June 11, 2026, and proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CT on July 10, 2026, via carrier or hand delivery to the Cherokee Nation Purchasing Department in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Bidders must meet rigorous qualification standards, including demonstrating prior experience serving retirement programs of similar size and scope, holding all necessary professional licenses, and providing proof of Errors and Omissions insurance. A critical component of the evaluation is the mandatory submission of Attachment A, which verifies minimum qualifications, and Attachment B, the sealed proposal response form that must fully address all evaluation factors. The award will be made based on a 100-point scoring system that prioritizes the questionnaire (25 points), transition requirements (20), proposed pricing (20), value-added services (15), experience and credentials (10), and Indian preference through TERO certification (10), with preference given to Indian-owned enterprises certified by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Employment Rights Office, provided they submit front and back copies of their TERO certification. The contractor must acknowledge in writing their fiduciary duty as an investment adviser to the plan and ensure complete confidentiality of all proprietary information, with all proprietary materials clearly labeled as such. The Cherokee Nation will not waive its sovereign immunity, and the contract explicitly prohibits arbitration, mediation, and indemnification clauses, even as the offeror is required to indemnify the Nation against any loss, cost, damage, claims, expense, or liability arising from performance. General liability insurance is mandatory, and contractors must provide a certificate of coverage. All proposals must be properly numbered and include a table of contents, a statement of readiness to perform, a 90-day validity period, and proof of licensure. Contractors are responsible for all costs related to proposal preparation and may not charge these to the Nation. Payment terms require adherence to Prompt Payment standards, mandating that subcontractors and suppliers be paid within ten days of the Nation’s payment to the contractor. Any media announcements referencing the