CPCFA02-24 - CalCAP SSBCI Loan Participation Project

The California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) is seeking a Third-Party Administrator to manage a Loan Participation Project (LPP) under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program. The procurement is for a comprehensive service to develop and implement a purchase participation loan program supporting small businesses across California, with a focus on facilitating business growth and expansion. Key deliverables include creating a digital database for loan requests, coordinating with financial institutions, managing a Participant Financial Institution (PFI) syndicate, and ensuring compliance with federal SSBCI guidelines. The contract will run for three years, from May 15, 2025, through May 14, 2028. The original proposal submission deadline was April 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PT, but Addendum No. 1 extended this to April 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PT. Proposal evaluations are scheduled for April 28-30, 2025, with a Notice of Intent to Award expected on May 1, 2025. The successful bidder must demonstrate capability to leverage private financing with a target 10:1 ratio and support underserved communities and rural areas.

The procurement appears open to financial institutions and third-party administrators with expertise in small business lending and program management. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the program emphasizes support for underserved communities and rural areas. The funding originates from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, with CPCFA receiving an initial tranche of $178,556,939 in November 2022 and a subsequent tranche of $203,515,524.50 in January 2025. The maximum contract value is set at $2,250,000 for the three-year term. Interested parties must submit proposals electronically and can direct questions to SSBCI@treasurer.ca.gov, with Lauren Dominguez serving as the primary contact. The program requires detailed compliance with federal SSBCI guidelines and the ability to work across a diverse financial institution network. Proposals will likely be evaluated on factors such as technical approach, past performance, understanding of SSBCI objectives, and ability to effectively manage and deploy loan participation resources.