WCJC-RFP Investment Advisor Services

Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) in Texas has issued a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (RFP) for qualified investment advisory firms to provide comprehensive investment advisory services. The procurement encompasses three primary service categories: non-discretionary portfolio management for the College's Public Funds portfolio in compliance with the Texas Public Funds Investment Act, investment advisory services for the College's Endowment Fund, and capital project and debt financing advisory services including debt structuring and coordination with underwriters and bond counsel. Sealed proposals must be submitted in three hard copies plus one electronic copy to Clarissa Bueno, Director of Purchasing, at 911 E. Boling Highway, Suite A107-A, Wharton, Texas 77488, by May 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., clearly marked with solicitation ID "26_00001 WCJC RFP Investment Advisor Services." The written questions deadline is April 29, 2026, and proposal specifications are available on the Texas Smart Buy website at https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd or by email request to buenoc@wcjc.edu. Proposers must clearly identify their fee structure as either flat fee, assets under management (AUM) based, or both, with all pricing fully transparent and all-inclusive with clearly defined minimums, retainers, or asset thresholds. Evaluation will be based on best value criteria weighted as follows: Fees (25%), Relevant Experience (20%), Reporting & Communication (20%), Investment Philosophy & Process (15%), Capital Financing Expertise (15%), and References & Past Performance (5%). The selected advisor must be a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC and registered with the Texas State Securities Board, maintain professional liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 and general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, and comply with all applicable Texas and federal laws.

The RFP contains no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting eligible respondents; however, WCJC is noted as an equal opportunity employer. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The selected contract will have an initial term of one year from execution with additional one-year renewal options at the College's discretion, and either party may terminate with 30 days written notice without cause. The solicitation does not specify an award value or budget range; contract costs will be determined based on the fee structures proposed by responsive firms. WCJC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, negotiate pricing and terms, and award the contract to the proposer providing the best value to the College, with board award and contract execution dates to be determined.