Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund.pdf

This is a product specification document for the Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund, relevant to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury's solicitation for defined contribution retirement plan administrative services. The document outlines the fund's characteristics, investment objectives, and performance metrics as a potential investment option within the 27 available investment choices for participants in the New Jersey State Employees Deferred Compensation Plan (NJSEDCP) and the New Jersey Defined Contribution Retirement Program (NJDCRP). The fund serves as a diversified international equity investment vehicle, providing exposure to developed market equities outside the United States. This specification would inform vendors' investment administration capabilities and participant educational materials, supporting the broader administrative services contract that serves approximately 163,987 unique participants across both retirement plans with combined assets of $6.1 billion.

The Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund represents one of the investment options that the selected administrative services vendor must manage and track on behalf of plan participants. As part of the comprehensive recordkeeping and administration services, the successful bidder must demonstrate competency in managing and reporting on this fund alongside other investment vehicles offered through the plans. Revenue sharing arrangements from investments, including those from the Vanguard fund, will be rebated to participants rather than retained by the State or service provider. The inclusion of this specific fund in the supporting documentation indicates the scope of investment management complexity that prospective vendors must address in their technical proposals and service delivery models when responding to the February 20, 2026, bid deadline.