Executive Search Services

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Procurement & Contracts division is requesting proposals for executive search services to support the Investment Management Division's talent acquisition across Private Market units (Private Equity, Real Estate, and Energy/Infrastructure & Resources) and Special Opportunities, with proposals due August 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. A mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Central Time via Microsoft Teams. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience providing executive search services, with documented evidence of relevant experience, service duration, and types of executive-level positions successfully filled.

TRS will award based on best value with evaluation criteria weighted equally at 25% each: Past Performance and Client References, Respondent's Key Personnel, Performance Details, and Pricing. The evaluation process may include an optional presentation, interview, demonstration round, and Best and Final Offer round.

The contractor will source candidates for Senior Analyst, Associate, Associate Principal/Senior Associate, and Principal/Investment Manager roles. Compensation is structured as a placement-fee model in which TRS pays only when a hired candidate completes their first day of employment. If a placed candidate terminates within six months, the contractor must provide a replacement candidate or refund within ninety days. The price form specifies compensation ranges by experience level (Senior Analysts at $144,900 through Directors at $502,500 total compensation) with zero recruitment fees. TRS does not permit pricing escalation for renewal terms.

The initial contract term is three years from an effective date of January 30, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods. TRS anticipates approximately 4 Senior Analyst, 4 Associate, 0–2 Associate Principal/Senior Associate, and 0–1 Principal/Investment Manager placements over the four-year period. The contract exceeds $100,000 in anticipated value, triggering a mandatory Veteran Heroes United in Business (VETHUB) Subcontracting Plan requirement with monthly progress assessment reporting. Questions are due July 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. All responses must be submitted through TRS's Procurement and Vendor E-System (PAVES). TRS reserves the right to make no award, a single award, or multiple awards.