Region One Education Service Center Bank Depository Services

Region One Education Service Center is procuring Bank Depository Services through a formal Request for Proposals to establish a primary depository relationship with a qualified financial institution serving 38 school districts and 10 charter school campuses across seven counties in South Texas. The selected depository will manage three interest-bearing accounts (General Operating Fund, Finance Clearing Fund, and Payroll Clearing Fund) with an average relationship balance of $6 million and provide comprehensive banking services including automated cash management, standard deposit services with remote check deposit capabilities, disbursing services, positive pay and reconciliation, wire transfer and ACH services, and collateral management. The contract term runs two years from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028, with options to extend for three additional two-year periods through August 31, 2034. Evaluation criteria allocate 30 percent to interest rates offered on time deposits and various account types, 35 percent to cost of services, 30 percent to the bank's ability to provide necessary services including financial stability and customer service, and 5 percent to community partnership and ESC engagement. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the eBuyOne Bonfire portal by April 1, 2026, at 3 PM CST, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for March 13, 2026, at 3 PM via Zoom and questions due by March 27, 2026, at 3 PM. Respondents must submit Form W-9, Form CIQ, Form 1295, proof of insurance, evidence of financial health and stability, all service agreements, the Bonfire BidTable with historical volumes and proposed fees, and the Bonfire Questionnaire. Collateral for deposits exceeding FDIC insurance coverage must be pledged at a minimum of 102 percent of market value and held with an independent third-party custodian in compliance with FIRREA requirements.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types are specified in the procurement documents, though all prospective depository institutions must demonstrate financial stability, regulatory compliance, and experience serving educational entities or similar public organizations. The RFP does not identify a current incumbent vendor or specify existing technological infrastructure requiring integration, allowing qualified financial institutions to compete on a best-value basis. Region One Education Service Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to suspend or terminate the contract throughout the term based on performance and organizational needs. The contract compensation structure permits either fee-based or compensating balance arrangements, providing flexibility in how banks structure their proposals. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the procurement documents; instead, the selection will be determined by the comprehensive evaluation of interest rates, service costs, service capabilities, and community partnership considerations across all responsive proposals.