RFQ Q2000551 Executive Search Firm Addendum1.pdf

This is an Addendum No. 1 to Request for Quotation Q27000551 issued by the Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii, a division under the state's executive branch. The RFQ solicits proposals from executive search firms to recruit an Executive Director for ERS. The original RFQ was issued October 14, 2026, with a question submission deadline of October 21, 2026, and offers due October 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. HST. The addendum, dated October 26, 2026, notifies offerors that the deadline for written questions has passed with no questions received. The engagement term is estimated to run from November 30, 2026 to completion by May 1, 2027, with the entire search process expected to conclude within four to six months from award. Award notification is expected November 6, 2026. Services will be performed at ERS offices located at City Financial Tower, 201 Merchant Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Pricing must be submitted as a firm fixed fee covering all search costs except advertising placement, which ERS will pay directly to publications; for evaluation purposes, any percentage-of-salary pricing will be calculated using a $300,000 salary baseline. Invoices will be paid net 30 days upon satisfactory completion. Minimum qualifications for proposing firms include five years of executive search experience with large complex organizations, completion of at least three executive searches within the past five years, and availability to meet in person or virtually during ERS business hours, with a Hawaii-based office or affiliate preferred. Hawaii Compliance Express (HCE) certification is required prior to award. Evaluation criteria allocate 30 points for experience, 25 points for company background, 25 points for availability and project timeline, and 20 points for fees, with the lowest fee proposal receiving maximum fee points. Firms must comply with all Hawaii Revised Statutes requirements and submit a confidentiality agreement as a condition of participation.