Request for Proposal 781-6-CB-12 Financial Advisory Services for Student Loan Program

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is issuing Request for Proposals No. 781-4-02478 to procure financial advisory services related to the Hinson Hazelwood Student Loan Program for Academic Years 2027-2029. This service contract solicitation was posted on April 10, 2026, with a written questions deadline of April 17, 2026, by 11:30 PM Central Time, and a proposal submission deadline of May 10, 2026, by 11:30 PM Central Time. The anticipated contract start date is September 1, 2026, with an initial term extending through August 31, 2029, and THECB reserves the right to extend the contract for up to an additional twelve months at the then-current contract rate. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience providing financial advisory services, with demonstrated expertise in bond issuance, debt obligations, municipal finance, student lending support, and regulatory compliance. The scope of services encompasses 29 primary deliverables, including arbitrage and yield restriction liability calculations, bond offering document preparation, cash flow modeling, credit enhancement evaluation, rating agency presentations, refunding opportunity analysis, and ongoing financial advisory support for THECB's bond issuance activities. Pricing must be all-inclusive and submitted in a separate Excel spreadsheet covering all services, costs, and fees required to deliver the specified deliverables. Proposals will be evaluated on two equally weighted criteria: Experience and Qualifications (60 percent weight), which includes municipal finance expertise, client base, student lending experience, regulatory compliance history, and key personnel qualifications, and Fees and Costs (40 percent weight).

Respondents must submit three files: an Excel pricing spreadsheet, a PDF containing qualifications and company profile with responses to the scope of work and references, and a PDF containing the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement, Execution of Proposal, and a transmittal letter. All respondents must complete mandatory attachments including the Execution of Proposal form requiring comprehensive organizational information, Federal Employer ID, Texas Tax ID, disclosure of individuals holding at least 25 percent ownership interest, and certifications regarding Texas Government Code compliance and procurement preferences related to disability-owned businesses, energy-efficient products, Texas and U.S. products, recycled or environmentally sensitive products, and economically depressed areas. Respondents must maintain complete neutrality and impartiality and provide full disclosure of any conflicts of interest; those with conflicts are ineligible for award. The contract contains strict confidentiality, data security, FERPA, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence restrictions, with prohibitions against uploading or processing THECB-provided data into generative AI systems without written approval. No set-aside designations or incumbent vendors are identified in the available solicitation documents. The contract contains no guaranteed minimum compensation, and THECB makes no guarantee of volume or usage; contract awards may be made to multiple vendors. The contract may be extended and will require workers' compensation insurance at statutory limits, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, and automobile liability of $500,000 combined single limit.