Exempt-IFA- Acacia Financial- FY26

The state of Illinois, specifically through the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) located in Cook County, is seeking financial advisory services from Acacia Financial Group, Inc. for fiscal year 2026. The contract will run from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, with a comprehensive scope of services including strategic program development, financial product evaluation, market research, financing structuring, credit analysis, program marketing, and bond evaluation. Deliverables include providing technical support to IFA staff and board members, developing financial strategies, evaluating financing techniques, attending project review meetings, and coordinating market sector discussions. The procurement was conducted as a small purchase method, with proposals due by June 11, 2025. Key objectives involve supporting the IFA's financial operations through expert consulting services, with vendors expected to demonstrate sophisticated financial analysis capabilities and deep understanding of public finance mechanisms. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the contract suggests a preference for vendors with extensive experience in public sector financial advisory services.

Acacia Financial Group is identified as a women-owned business, indicating potential set-aside or preferential considerations for minority-owned enterprises. The contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $176,000 for the initial term, with pricing structured on an hourly rate fee schedule outlined in Exhibit A. The procurement is funded by locally held funds and does not involve subcontractors. Vendors must meet stringent insurance requirements, including $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate general commercial liability insurance, as well as auto liability and worker's compensation coverage. The standard terms and conditions document suggests potential for contract renewal, though specific extension mechanisms are not fully detailed. Compliance requirements include adherence to prevailing wage laws, equal opportunity standards, and various state procurement regulations. The contract will be performed entirely in Chicago, IL, with Acacia expected to provide comprehensive financial advisory support to the Illinois Finance Authority.