Request for Proposals (RFP 240s) IRC Section 529 and 529A Plan Consulting Services for the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board Follow Solicitation

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ("Comptroller"), as Chair and Executive Director of the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board (the "Board"), issues this Request for Proposals No. 240s (the "RFP") to solicit proposals from consulting firms or individuals to serve as a consultant for the Board’s 529 prepaid tuition and college savings plans and the Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience 529A Program ("Texas ABLE® Program"), and to assist Comptroller and the Board in the ongoing administration of the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan ("TGTP"), the Texas College Savings Plan ®, the LoneStar 529 Plan® and the Texas Tuition Promise Fund® ("TTPF"), all of which are qualified tuition programs authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, along with the Texas ABLE Program ("ABLE Program"), a savings plan for individuals with disabilities authorized by Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"); the Texas Save and Match Program and the Texas Match the Promise Foundation; all plans are referred to in this RFP collectively as "the Funds."

As a result of this RFP, the Board, acting by and through Comptroller, anticipates executing a contract with the Successful Respondent to perform the Services as described in this RFP and the contract, if any, resulting from it (the "Contract").

Comptroller will seek assistance from the Successful Respondent, on an "as-needed" and "as-requested" basis, on issues related to the Funds and their respective program managers, if any. It is anticipated that Comptroller, on behalf of the Board, will request that Successful Respondent provide ongoing assistance such as, but not limited to:

• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in interpreting and applying Sections IRC 529 and 529A;
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in identifying and applying best practices of the 529 and 529A industries to the Funds;
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in contract development and negotiation related to the Funds;
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in responding to questions and written inquiries received in the course of operations of the Funds;
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in developing Requests for Proposals for various services, which may include investment consulting, actuarial services, outside counsel, and program manager services;
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff in analyzing and evaluating responses to Requests for Proposals for various services;
• Attend Board meetings or similar proceedings related to providing all of the Services requested in this RFP and as set forth in the Contract, if any; and
• Assist the Board and Comptroller staff with other related issues, including, but not limited to, research, analysis, evaluations, presentations, questions, contract terms, drafting, marketing, and implementation, and provide all other reasonably related Services, including but not limited to negotiations, as and when requested.

All respondents must demonstrate that the key individual(s) have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in working with state prepaid tuition plans, college savings plans, ABLE programs and related programs and other experience relevant to the Services requested. Extensive knowledge of IRC Sections 529 and 529A is required.

Respondents (including individuals) acting as municipal advisors must provide proof of registration with the SEC and must describe their compliance with applicable MSRB rules.

An electronic copy of the Proposal must be received in the Issuing Office no later than **2:00 p.m. CT** on the deadline set forth in the Schedule of Events. The email must be labeled with "RFP No. 240s for 529 and 529A Plan Consulting Services" and include the name and address of Respondent in the body of the email. Late Proposals will not be considered under any circumstances. Faxed or mailed Proposals are not acceptable and will not be considered.

The transmittal letter must state that the Proposal is valid for one hundred eighty (180) days from the deadline for delivery of Proposals to Comptroller.

For every respondent, a completed *State of Texas Subcontracting Plan* (Veteran Heroes United in Business) is **required** to be considered responsive.

The Contract shall become effective on the date signed by Comptroller, after having first been signed by Successful Respondent and will terminate December 31, 2029 (Initial Term). Comptroller has the option, in its sole discretion, to extend the Contract for two (2) additional periods, one year at a time, as follows: January 1, 2030, through December 31, 2030, and January 1, 2031, through December 31, 2031.