Financial Advisor Services

Dane County, Wisconsin, is seeking a Financial Advisor through Request for Proposal #2023-RFP-001-PR to provide comprehensive financial advisory services for debt management and issuance. The selected vendor will be responsible for evaluating alternative financing mechanisms, structuring debt issues, preparing official statements, coordinating debt issuance processes, marketing debt issues, and providing ongoing debt planning and management assistance. The contract will span a five-year term, with the county typically conducting one general obligation financing annually. Proposals are due on January 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm, and will be evaluated across seven key criteria: Organizational Capabilities (30%), Staff Qualifications (15%), Scope of Services (10%), Bond Rating (10%), Project Approach (10%), Financial Management Services (5%), and Cost (20%). The 2023 capital budget includes a total borrowing authority of approximately $162.7 million, with bond issuance expected in September. Vendors must quote fees on a per-$1,000 issued basis, covering the first series of bonds or notes in each calendar year, additional series issued on the same sales date, and potential advance refunding.

The county demonstrates a preference for local vendors, with businesses located in Dane County potentially receiving five additional points in the evaluation process, and those in adjacent counties receiving two points. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the evaluation process appears to be open to a wide range of financial advisory firms. The most recent county borrowing received a "AAA" rating from Standard and Poor's, indicating a strong financial position that may attract competitive proposals. The RFP does not specify an exact contract value, but the annual borrowing authority of $162.7 million suggests a significant potential engagement for the selected financial advisor. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that would require integration. Interested vendors should carefully review the full RFP document and prepare comprehensive proposals that address the detailed evaluation criteria and demonstrate expertise in municipal financial advisory services.