RFQ 2025-Q03 Bond Underwriting Services - PID Bonds

Hidalgo County is conducting a Request for Qualifications (RFQ 2025-Q03) to establish a pool of qualified investment banking firms for bond underwriting services specifically related to Public Improvement District (PID) bonds. The procurement seeks firms with demonstrated experience in municipal bond underwriting, focusing on Texas PID financings between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023 (with recent addendum allowing 2024 year-to-date experience). Respondents must provide comprehensive documentation including a detailed questionnaire demonstrating their institutional and retail distribution capabilities, capital positions, and prior transaction histories. The evaluation criteria will assess company experience (45 points), capacity to perform (45 points), and disciplinary history (10 points). Firms must submit one original and one digital proposal by December 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. CT, with preliminary questions due by December 9, 2024. Additional requirements include providing three Texas client references, a standing letter from the Texas Office of the Attorney General, and detailed transaction metrics separated by senior manager and co-manager roles.

The RFQ does not specify explicit set-aside designations or mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation goals. While the document addresses federal non-discrimination and equal employment requirements, no specific restrictions limit participation based on business size or designation. Respondents must maintain specific insurance coverages, including $1 million in automobile liability, $2 million in commercial general liability, and $1 million in employer's liability insurance. No specific contract value or budget range is explicitly stated, and selection for the pool does not guarantee future work. The County reserves the right to remove firms from the pool at any time and may conduct competitive bond sales instead of negotiating directly with pool members. Firms must disclose any disciplinary actions from regulatory authorities like MSRB, SEC, and FINRA and demonstrate compliance with various federal requirements related to non-discrimination, equal employment, and environmental standards.