ESBD_572199_1793211382330_ESBD Notice - Outside Counsel Services RFQ.docx

EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL SERVICES

SOLICITATION NO. 26-15128-001

NIGP CODE: 961-49 (LEGAL SERVICES – ATTORNEYS)

The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified firms (Respondents) to provide outside counsel services. Respondents shall provide the level of services required in the RFQ and meet other requirements that are in the best interests of ERS, its members, and the state of Texas (State). Respondent shall be required to execute a contract (Contract) provided by, and satisfactory to, ERS for a period that begins upon execution of the Contract by ERS and extends for six (6) years, subject to the terms of the Contract. It is anticipated the Contract will be executed in August 2027.

Questions will be accepted via Euna Procurement (formerly, “Bonfire”) until November 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT). Answers to questions will be posted to Euna Procurement and ESBD on the date specified in RFQ Section A.6.

To be eligible for consideration, Respondent is required to submit its response to the RFQ (Proposal) in accordance with the instructions set forth in the RFQ. Respondents must meet the Minimum Requirements set forth in Section B of the Respondent Questionnaire (Appendix F). All Proposal materials shall be received by ERS via Euna Procurement no later than February 1, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. CT.

To download the RFQ, submit questions, and/or submit a Proposal, prospective Respondents must first create a profile in Euna Procurement (ERS’ e-procurement portal located at erstexas.bonfirehub.com), which operates best on the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Browser cookies must be enabled when accessing Euna Procurement. Note that Respondent’s primary Proposal contact must create a Euna Procurement profile (with the actual contact person’s email address) and download the RFQ documents in order to send and receive messages via Euna Procurement.

ERS reserves the right to rebid the RFQ if deemed by ERS to be in the best interests of ERS, its members, and/or the State. ERS also reserves the right to reject any Proposal submitted that does not fully comply with the RFQ’s instructions and criteria. ERS is under no legal requirement to execute a Contract on the basis of this notice or upon issuance of the RFQ and will not pay any costs incurred by any Respondent in connection with the preparation of a Proposal. ERS also reserves the right to revise any provisions set forth in the RFQ at any time prior to execution of a Contract where ERS deems it to be in the best interests of ERS, its members, and/or the State.

Any general questions should be sent to ERS’ Office of Procurement and Contract Oversight via Euna Procurement or ivendorquestions@ers.texas.gov. ERS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 13207, Austin, Texas 78711-3207.