RFSQ #218428 - Bond Underwriter or Placement Agent Services

The City of Little Rock, Arkansas, on behalf of Pulaski County, issued Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) #218428 seeking qualified bond underwriter or placement agent service providers. The procurement seeks to establish a qualified pool of firms capable of serving in Senior Managing Underwriter or Co-Manager roles for tax-exempt and taxable municipal debt issuances, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, refundings, and special financings, as well as placement agent services for privately placed bonds. Key service deliverables include underwriting unsold bond balances, coordinating with bond counsel and municipal advisors, supporting deal execution, providing market condition analyses, assisting with investor outreach, and marketing and distributing bonds while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Minimum qualifications require firms to be properly registered to engage in municipal securities business, compliant with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules, demonstrate experience underwriting municipal bonds for public entities, possess necessary capital to underwrite bonds, and maintain no conflicts of interest with the City. The technical proposal will be evaluated on a 1,000-point scoring system weighted across five categories: Firm Experience & Capacity (30%), Key Personnel & Team Qualifications (15%), Underwriting Approach & Methodology (25%), Financial Strength & Capital Commitment (15%), and Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management (15%), with a minimum weighted score of 700 required to advance. Proposals are limited to fifteen pages including cover letter and executive summary, with pricing to be negotiated post-award and not included in the technical proposal. The vendor questions deadline is February 5, 2026, with proposals due February 12, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. Central Time, followed by a bid opening meeting via Microsoft Teams on the closing date. The contract term is three years with optional renewal based on performance, funding availability, and City approval.

The procurement does not include set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises; however, the City of Little Rock encourages minority and women-owned business partnerships through defined certifications under Arkansas Code Annotated 15-4-303. Joint venture proposals are not acceptable for this solicitation. All responding vendors must comply with the Combined Certifications for Contracting document, certifying non-participation in boycotts of Israel and the energy, fossil fuel, firearms, and ammunition industries, and must maintain a current Arkansas business license. Out-of-state businesses bidding on this procurement do not require a business license to submit proposals; however, they must obtain one if awarded a contract and establish a permanent location within city limits. All vendors must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the City as an additional insured and comply with Standard Terms and Conditions governing the legal framework for vendor agreements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. The procurement does not specify an award value or budget range in the published materials.