RFI-Climate Risk and Transition Opportunity Analytics Solutions

The Maryland State Retirement Agency has issued a Request for Information to identify firms capable of providing advanced climate risk and transition opportunity analytics solutions to enhance its investment portfolio management over a five-year period, with options for renewal. The contract, governed by Maryland state procurement laws rather than federal FAR clauses, aims to gather market insights on products that analyze physical climate risks, assess carbon footprints, evaluate transition risks, and generate asset-class specific risk metrics. Respondents are encouraged to demonstrate methodological rigor, data transparency, and analytical sophistication, with particular emphasis on supporting fiduciary duties and portfolio resilience. The agency seeks comprehensive responses, including detailed fee structures submitted separately from technical proposals, and emphasizes the importance of Minority Business Enterprise participation. The contractual framework incorporates Maryland-specific clauses covering nondiscrimination, legal compliance, financial disclosures, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and data security, but does not specify federal clauses or standards. The agreement is structured as a Master Services Agreement with addenda, with no explicit mention of a particular contract type such as FFP or IDIQ, and the initial term is five years, extendable through agency renewal options. Payment procedures are outlined to depend on proper invoicing and satisfactory performance, with the agency reserving the right to withhold final payments pending tax certification. The agency’s designated Contract Manager oversees all contractual matters, with notices and modifications to be made in writing. Proposals must be submitted electronically by December 1, 2025, with the RFI and questionnaire sent separately from the fee proposal, which must be labeled accordingly. No specific page limits or file formats are mandated, but confidentiality of proprietary information must be justified. The agency encourages responses from minority and disadvantaged business entities, but no mandatory socioeconomic certifications are required. The scope of work involves providing data-driven analytics, supporting decision-making, and offering ongoing support, with performance acceptance contingent on the agency’s satisfaction, based on internal quality assurance and data integrity practices. Overall, the procurement aims to identify innovative, transparent, and reliable climate risk solutions aligned with Maryland’s regulatory framework and fiduciary responsibilities.