Financial Advisor

Minot State University (MSU) in North Dakota is seeking a financial consulting firm to serve as a financial advisor for bond sale services in Williams County. The Request for Proposal (RFP) requires a qualified consultant to provide comprehensive financial advisory services, including recommendations for financing options, debt structure review, preparation of official statements, and guidance on competitive or negotiated bond sales. Potential contractors must possess a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and demonstrate at least seven years of experience providing financial advisory services to tax-exempt debt issuers. The evaluation process will utilize a 100-point scale, with 70 points allocated to the technical proposal (40 points for Scope of Work Strategy and 30 points for Experience and Qualifications) and 30 points for the cost proposal. The solicitation was issued on August 12, 2025, with proposals due by September 4, 2025, and the anticipated contract term beginning on September 22, 2025, with a maximum duration of two years and potential options for extension.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The successful bidder must be independent of banking and underwriting interests and demonstrate extensive experience with various debt instruments and credits. While no incumbent vendor is identified, the contract will be structured as a firm fixed-price arrangement with payment processed within 45 calendar days of invoice receipt. The specific budget range or award value is not explicitly stated in the provided documentation. The selected financial advisor will be expected to interact with Bond Counsel and rating agencies, provide strategic financial guidance, and support MSU's bond sale processes through comprehensive consulting services.