Requests for Information/Proposals/Bids
The Office of the Treasurer (hereinafter “OTT”, the “State” or the “Treasurer”) of the State of Connecticut is issuing this Request for Proposal to solicit proposals from government entities to assist the State of Connecticut with the implementation of a federally qualified Achieving a Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) program in the State of Connecticut.
In an effort to speed the establishment of an ABLE program for Connecticut residents and to implement such a program in a cost-effective manner, the OTT seeks to partner with another state or states that already have established ABLE programs. This RFP seeks to obtain responses pertaining to how state governments have structured their programs and under what terms and conditions such state governments propose to manage a State of Connecticut ABLE program. This RFP is an offer to contract from governmental entities that may form the basis for negotiation of an agreement to manage the Connecticut ABLE Trust.
As more fully described in Sections II - IX, herein, respondents who would like to provide ABLE program services may submit proposals in order to be considered through this RFP process (each referred to as “Respondent”). The State expects to select Respondents to provide ABLE program services for a 4-year period with the option to renew twice for two additional four-year terms. The selected Respondents will be expected to execute an agreement with the Treasurer.
All responses must be submitted by February 10, 2020, via email to the attention of Laurie Martin, Chief Investment Officer at ABLE.RFP@ct.gov.
a. Questions and Answers concerning the Achieving a Better Life Experience program.
2. Request for Proposals for Emerging Market Debt Investment Management Services
The State of Connecticut, acting through its Treasurer (hereinafter the “State” or the “Treasurer”) requests proposals from qualified firms (the “Respondent”) interested in providing investment management services for the Emerging Market Debt Fund (“EMD”). The State intends to use this RFP process to select a pool of respondents that may be appointed by the Treasurer to supervise and direct the investments in an emerging market separately managed account. The Treasurer, elected quadrennially, serves as the principal fiduciary of the $38 billion Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds (the “CRPTF”) comprised of 15 retirement plans and trust funds. An independent Investment Advisory Council (“IAC”), appointed pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §3-13b, is charged with advising the Treasurer on matters pertaining to the investment of the CRPTF’s assets, and the Chief Investment Officer of the Office of the Treasurer oversees the day-to-day operations.
As more fully described in Sections II - IX, herein, respondents who would like to provide emerging market investment management services may submit proposals in order to be considered through this RFP process. The State expects to select respondents to provide emerging market debt investment management services for a 5-year period. The selected respondents will be expected to execute an investment management agreement with the Treasurer.
All responses must be submitted by February 7, 2020, via email to the attention of Laurie Martin, Chief Investment Officer at PFM.RFP@ct.gov.
a. Firm Questionnaire For Emerging Market Debt Investment Management Services
b. Questionnaire for Emerging Market Debt Investment Management Services RFP 01/31/20
3. Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is to identify and retain the most qualified firm or firms to provide Secondary Advisory Services
The Office of the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut (the “State”) hereby requests proposals from qualified firms (each, a “Respondent”) interested in providing advisory services related to the potential disposition or acquisition of private market assets through secondary transactions as set forth herein (“Secondary Advisory Services”).
The primary purpose of this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is to identify and retain the most qualified firm or firms to provide Secondary Advisory Services on an ongoing basis, as described below in Section II, Scope of Services, to the Office of the Treasurer (the “Treasurer”). The CRPTF’s near-term objective for engaging a Secondary Advisory Services firm or firms is to explore options for the sale of certain of private market assets to rationalize non-core holdings to improve long-term return potential and support the deployment of potential proceeds into investment opportunities that are better aligned with the private market strategic pacing plan objectives. The State expects to select Respondent(s) to provide Secondary Advisory Services for an eight (8) year period. The selected Respondent(s) will be expected to execute a personal services agreement with the State of Connecticut, acting through its Treasurer to become a Contractor with the State.
Proposals must be received by 4:00 PM EST on Friday, February 28, 2020. All proposals must be emailed to PFM.RFP@ct.gov and include the words “Secondary Advisory Services RFP” in the subject line.
Official Agency Contact:
Laurie Martin, Chief Investment Officer
Pension Funds Management, 2nd floor
Office of the Treasurer
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860.702.3195
Fax: 860.702.3034
a. Questions and Answers concerning the Secondary Advisory Services RFP
4. Request for Proposals for Qualified Tuition Savings Program Services
The State of Connecticut, acting through its Treasurer (hereinafter the “State” or the “Treasurer”) requests proposals from qualified firms (the “Respondent”) interested in serving as program manager (“Plan Manager”) for the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (“CHET” or the “Program”). The Program consists of a direct-sold plan (the “Direct Plan”), which is offered directly to the public and an advisor-sold plan (the “Advisor Plan”), which is offered through financial investment professionals. Respondents may submit proposals for program management services for (1) the Direct Plan, (2) the Advisor Plan or (3) both the Direct and Advisor Plans.
The Program was authorized by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1997 and began operations in 1998. Authorization is codified in Sections 3-22g, et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Statute”). The Statute authorizes the Treasurer to establish and maintain the Program in a manner consistent with Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 529” and the “IRC”, respectively). The Treasurer is the sole trustee for the Program. Under the Statute, the Treasurer may enter into any contracts or agreements for the services of public and private financial institutions, depositories, consultants, investment advisors, managers and third-party administrators necessary or desirable to carry out the Statute. The Program must be administered as a “qualified tuition program” under Section 529.
All responses must be submitted by March 9, 2020, to the attention of Laurie Martin, Chief Investment Officer via email at CHET.RFP@ct.gov; and via USB Thumb Drive to the following address:
Treasurer, State of Connecticut
Office of The Treasurer
Attention: Laurie Martin, Chief Investment Officer
Pension Funds Management, 2nd floor
Office of the Treasurer
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860.702.3195
Fax: 860.702.3034