Financial Advisor Services

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Purchasing Services
For its Department of Finance
Request for Proposal Number: 3000012956
Description of Services: Financial Advisor Services
Date of Issue: 09-22-2026
Date & Time of Site Visit: None Required
Mandatory _____ Non-Mandatory _____
Date & Time to Submit Questions: 10-07-2026 NLT 1:00 PM EST
Date & Time of Public Opening: 10-19-2026 NLT 1:00 PM EST
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Mark Thomas Sillman
Associate Director Purchasing Services
Email: mark_sillman@unc.edu
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Purchasing Services
Request for Proposal Number: 3000012956
Description of Services: Financial Advisory Services
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of proposals, you must provide your
company's eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification
number shall not be released to the public. This page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept
confidential, before the procurement file is made available for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.
Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
North Carolina State procurement vendor identification number for eVP
______________________________
North Carolina Secretary of State vendor identification number
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a vendor number, register athttps://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
The University is only accepting proposals through the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP):
Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation. Please ensure that you submit your
proposal as one single PDF file.
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Purchasing Services
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP
to: Request for Proposal Number: 3000012956
****SEE FRONT COVER****
Proposals will be publicly opened: 10-19-2026 NLT 1:30 PM EST
Using Agency: UNC-CH Commodity No. and Description:
Requisition No.:
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers
and agrees to furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices proposed opposite each item within
the time specified herein.
By executing this proposal, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations
of Chapter 78A of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-
59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this proposal, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief that it and
its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded
from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract
awarded as a result of this RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including
the requirement for each employer with more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its
employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State
requirements concerning fair employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any
employee in connection with performance of any Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the
preparing plans, specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or
supervising delivery of the public contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking
to do business with the State. By execution of this response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire
organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised
by any employees of your organization.
By executing this proposal, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the
UNIVERSITY of NORTH CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILLS GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS for SERVICES incorporated herein.
These documents can be accessed from the ATTACHMENTS page within this document.
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Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late proposals
shall not be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty (60) days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if
extended by mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective
upon receipt by the agency issuing this RFP.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
If your proposal is accepted, all provisions of this RFP, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the
written agreement between the parties ("Contract"). The UNIVERSITY of NORTH CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILLS GENERAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS for SERVICES are incorporated herein and shall apply. Depending upon the Services being offered, other
terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed upon.
FOR UNIVERSITY USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this________ day of _________, 20____, as indicated
on
The attached certification, by ____________________________________________________________________.
Authorized Representative of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 10
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 13
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT ........................................................................... 13
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE (This requirement doesn't apply to the UNC at Chapel Hill) .......... 13
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS ............................ 13
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................... 13
2.5 SITE VISIT or PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE (NOT APPLICABLE) .............................. 14
2.6 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS ..................................................................................................... 14
2.7 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL ...................................................................................................... 14
2.8 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ....................................................................................................... 14
2.9 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS .................................................................................................. 15
2.10 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................. 15
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS .................................... 16
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ........................................................................................................... 16
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ..... 16
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ................................................................................. 16
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA ...................................................................................................... 17
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ............................................................. 19
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ................................................................. 19
4.0 REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................... 20
4.1 PRICING ................................................................................................................................. 20
4.2 FINANCIAL STABILITY ......................................................................................................... 20
4.3 VENDOR EXPERIENCE ........................................................................................................ 20
4.4 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 21
4.5 BACKGROUND CHECKS ..................................................................................................... 21
4.6 PERSONNEL ......................................................................................................................... 24
4.7 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ........................................................................................ 24
4.8 QUESTIONS TO VENDORS (NOT APPLICABLE) ............................................................... 25
4.9 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ................................................. 25
4.10 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS (NOT APPLICABLE). 25
4.11 SUBCONTRACTORS ............................................................................................................ 25
4.12 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ........................................................................... 25
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5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK .......................................................................... 26
Proposals submitted will follow the following format and order: ................................................ 26
1. Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 26
* Concise overview of the firm's understanding of the engagement ................................. 26
* Summary of proposed approach to supporting a AAA-rated public institution............. 26
* Key differentiators and relevant experience with similar institutions ............................. 26
* High-level description of value delivered to the University .............................................. 26
2. Firm Qualifications & Relevant Experience ............................................................................... 26
* Overview of firm history, structure, and public finance advisory practice ..................... 26
* Description of experience advising: ................................................................................... 26
Highly rated public institutions ........................................................................................... 26
o
Large public universities or equivalent entities ................................................................ 26
o
* Case studies of at least two comparable engagements, including: ................................ 26
Client profile (anonymized if necessary) ............................................................................ 26
o
Scope of services provided ................................................................................................. 26
o
Outcomes achieved (e.g., maintained credit rating, optimized capital structure) .......... 26
o
* Description of experience with long-term capital planning and debt advisory .............. 26
3. Technical Approach ..................................................................................................................... 26
* Detailed methodology for delivering each Scope of Work component ........................... 26
* Approach to: ......................................................................................................................... 26
Capital structure optimization ............................................................................................. 26
o
Debt capacity analysis ......................................................................................................... 26
o
Multi-year financial forecasting ........................................................................................... 26
o
Scenario planning and stress testing ................................................................................. 26
o
* Explanation of modeling philosophy and assumptions framework ................................ 26
* Approach to integrating operating and capital planning into a unified model ............... 26
4. Credit Rating Strategy & Risk Management Approach ............................................................. 26
* Approach to maintaining AAA-equivalent financial discipline ........................................ 26
* Understanding of rating agency methodologies and thresholds .................................... 26
* Framework for identifying and mitigating rating pressure points ................................... 26
* Stress testing methodology and downside risk modeling approach .............................. 26
* Strategy for supporting rating agency engagement and communications .................... 26
5. Project Team & Staffing Plan ...................................................................................................... 27
* Identification of engagement lead and key personnel ...................................................... 27
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* Detailed resumes/CVs of all core team members .............................................................. 27
* Roles and responsibilities of each team member ............................................................. 27
* Time allocation and availability across the engagement lifecycle .................................. 27
* Plan for continuity and replacement of key personnel if needed .................................... 27
6. Deliverables .................................................................................................................................. 27
* Detailed list of deliverables aligned to Scope of Work previously listed and case
studies ............................................................................................................................................... 27
* Format of deliverables (reports, models, dashboards, presentations) ........................... 27
* Frequency of reporting (monthly, quarterly, ad hoc) ........................................................ 27
* Example deliverables (if available), such as: ..................................................................... 27
Financial model architecture ............................................................................................... 27
o
Scenario analysis outputs ................................................................................................... 27
o
Debt capacity dashboards ................................................................................................... 27
o
Executive board presentations ........................................................................................... 27
o
7. Data, Modeling, and Technology ................................................................................................ 27
* Description of financial modeling tools and platforms used ........................................... 27
* Model transparency, auditability, and documentation standards ................................... 27
* Approach to version control and assumption tracking .................................................... 27
* Data requirements from the University and integration process ..................................... 27
* Ability to transfer model ownership or provide ongoing access ..................................... 27
8. Pricing Proposal ........................................................................................................................... 27
* Detailed fee structure (fixed, hourly, or hybrid) ................................................................. 27
* Breakdown of costs by workstream and staffing level ..................................................... 27
* Assumptions underlying pricing model ............................................................................. 27
* Optional services or out-of-scope rate card ...................................................................... 27
* Travel and reimbursable expense policy ........................................................................... 27
9. References .................................................................................................................................... 27
* At least three client references from comparable engagements ..................................... 27
* Preference for: ...................................................................................................................... 27
Public universities ................................................................................................................ 27
o
AAA/AA+ rated institutions ................................................................................................. 27
o
Large-scale capital advisory clients ................................................................................... 27
o
* Contact information and description of engagement context ......................................... 27
TASKS/DELIVERABLES .................................................................................................................. 28
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The successful firm shall be expected to perform the following scope of work throughout the
engagement: ..................................................................................................................................... 28
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................................. 30
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ............................................................... 30
6.2 POST AWARD BUSINESS REVIEW MEETINGS ....................................................................... 30
6.3 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT .................................................................................................. 31
6.4 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK .......................................................................................................... 31
6.5 FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE (NOT APPLICABLE) .................................................................... 31
6.6 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE (NOT APPLICABLE) .................................................................... 31
6.7 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ............................................................................................................. 31
6.08 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................................................ 31
7.0 ATTACHMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 32
ATTACHMENT A: UNC at Chapel Hills General Terms and Conditions for Services .................. 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ (attached) ............................................................................ 33
ATTACHMENT B: Instructions to Vendors ...................................................................................... 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ (attached) ............................................................................ 33
ATTACHMENT C: Vendor Sustainability Efforts (form) ................................................................. 33
Required: Yes: _____ No: xxxxx .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT E: Customer Reference Template (form) ............................................................... 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT F: Location of Workers Utilized by Vendor (form) ................................................ 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT G: Certification of Financial Condition (form) ....................................................... 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT H: EO50 Vendor Price Matching Opportunity (form ............................................. 33
Required: Yes: _____ No: xxxxx .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT I: Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans and Cooperative Agmts (form) .... 33
Required: Yes: _____ No: xxxxx .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT J: OMB Standard Form LLL .................................................................................... 33
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Required: Yes: _____ No: xxxxx .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT K: Proof that Company is Registered with the NC Secretary of State ................ 33
(https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration) ............................................................ 33
Required: Yes: xxxxx No: _____ .............................................................................................. 33
ATTACHMENT L: PRICING The university is looking for an annual lump sum for these services
payable either monthly, quarterly, or annually. There is no actual attachment for this. It
is requested that you use a plain piece of company letterhead (stationery) to provide
your annual lump sum fee. If there are extra services that your company provides, that
you feel would benefit the university, please feel free to list them as extra services
when and if required. ............................................................................................................. 33
The pricing page shall be included with your proposal and should not only have the company
name printed on it but should be signed and dated as well. ............................................. 33
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1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
1.1 PURPOSE: This Request for Proposal (RFP) is being issued to obtain a contract to obtain Financial Advisory Services for
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Finance. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this RFP and any addenda issued hereto.
1.2 BACKGROUND: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is the nation's first public university
and a leading global research institution, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States.
Founded in 1789 and located in Chapel Hill, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students across a broad range of disciplines.
UNC-Chapel Hill is a flagship institution of the University of North Carolina System and is recognized for its commitment to
academic excellence, public service, and innovation. The University maintains a comprehensive research enterprise, with
annual research expenditures exceeding $1 billion, spanning areas such as healthcare, life sciences, public policy, and data
science.
Through its integrated academic and health system, including the nationally ranked UNC Health and Faculty Practice, the
University plays a critical role in advancing education, research, and clinical care across the state and beyond. UNC-Chapel
Hill's mission emphasizes access, affordability, and impact, supporting economic development and improving quality of life
throughout North Carolina.
With a strong foundation in interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic growth, UNC-Chapel Hill continues to invest in
infrastructure, technology, and capital planning to sustain long-term institutional excellence and financial strength.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks to retain a nationally recognized financial advisory firm with deep
experience supporting AAA-rated public universities. The advisor will provide strategic guidance on debt capacity, capital
structure, and financial risk management to ensure the University sustains its AAA credit rating while executing a
significant, multi-year capital program.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
Preserve AAA Credit Rating: Ensure all financial and capital planning decisions are consistent with maintaining the
University's AAA credit rating under multiple stress scenarios.
Optimize Debt Capacity and Capital Structure: Assess and continuously refine the University's debt capacity to support
strategic capital investment while maintaining long-term financial sustainability
Enhance Multi-Year Financial Planning: Develop and maintain a robust, forward-looking financial framework that
integrates historical performance, capital forecasts, and macroeconomics assumptions
Strengthen Scenario & Stress Testing Capabilities: Evaluate the impact of varying economic, enrollment, and capital
investment scenarios on key credit metrics, liquidity, and debt service coverage
Improve Decision-Grade Financial Insights: Translate complex financial model outputs into clear, actionable insights
that inform executive-level capital allocation and financing decisions
Align Capital Planning with Institutional Strategy: Ensure capital investment decisions are aligned with the University's
academic mission, infrastructure priorities, and long-term strategic plan
Support Risk-Informed Financial Governance: Identify, quantify, and monitor financial risks associated with capital
programs and provide ongoing advisory support to mitigate downside exposure
In order to successfully meet the above objectives, the selected vendor should demonstrate the following attributes:
1. AAA Public Finance Expertise (Mandatory)
* Demonstrated advisory experience supporting AAA-rated public institutions or equivalent sovereign-grade credits
* Proven track record of helping issuers maintain ratings through multiple economic and market cycles
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