CEFA01-25 - Municipal Advisor for Bond Sale and Related Services

The California Educational Facilities Authority (CEFA) is seeking municipal advisory services through Request for Proposals (RFP) No. CEFA01-25 for bond sale and related services. This procurement aims to select two municipal advisory firms - a primary and a secondary contractor - to provide comprehensive services for tax-exempt bond issuances and equipment financings for non-profit higher educational facilities. Qualified firms must be on the State Treasurer's Office Municipal Advisor Pool list, have an established California office, and possess at least two years of experience as a municipal advisor to a statewide bond issuer. Key deliverables include reviewing underwriter proposals, evaluating financing structures, providing market comparables, participating in pricing discussions, and offering strategic advice throughout the bond issuance process. The evaluation criteria will focus on experience, personnel qualifications, and cost, with proposals scored to determine the primary and secondary contractors. Critical dates include a May 2, 2025 deadline for written questions and a proposal submission deadline of May 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. PT.

The RFP includes several preference and incentive programs designed to support diverse businesses, including a 5% preference for small businesses or microbusinesses and a 5% preference for non-small businesses with 25% California certified small business subcontractor participation. A Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive program is also incorporated into the procurement process. The contract will be for a three-year period beginning July 1, 2025, with a maximum contract amount of $300,000 for the primary firm and $250,000 for the secondary firm. Proposing firms must be qualified to do business in California and meet specific experience requirements in municipal advisory services. The procurement is structured to ensure comprehensive coverage of municipal advisory needs while providing opportunities for diverse business participation through carefully designed preference mechanisms.