RFP# 11-27, 403(b) Investment & Advisory Services

The Lafayette Parish School System is soliciting proposals under RFP# 11-27 for a qualified investment consulting and advisory firm to serve as the Investment Advisor for its 403(b) Defined Contribution Plan. The plan currently manages approximately 28 million dollars in assets for roughly 1,320 participants. The primary objectives of this engagement are to reduce member costs, streamline operations by consolidating over 18 million dollars in legacy assets, and implement a comprehensive member education strategy. The selected advisor must act as an express ERISA fiduciary, either as a 3(21) non-discretionary co-fiduciary or a 3(38) discretionary investment manager, and ensure compliance with IRS 403(b) regulations, SECURE 2.0 updates, and state public school retirement mandates. The contract is intended for an initial five-year term with options for one-year renewals. Compensation will be based on asset thresholds, requiring a flat annual fee for assets up to 15 million dollars and either a flat or asset-based fee for assets between 15 million and 30 million dollars; third-party compensation such as commissions or 12b-1 fees is strictly prohibited. Proposals must be submitted electronically via Beacon Bid and in six physical copies by November 17, 2026, at 2 PM CST. To ensure a blind review, all submissions must be strictly anonymized, omitting all firm names and logos. Evaluation is based on a 170-point scale, with the highest weight placed on fiduciary status and compensation. Finalists must present in person to the Board Insurance Committee to avoid automatic disqualification, with the final contract award scheduled for December 10, 2026.