RFP Program Effectiveness and Impact Research Consultant 370-200-27-022

Request for Proposals
Program Effectiveness and Impact Research
Consultant
370-200-27-022
July 17, 2026
Proposals due before 1:00 p.m. CT on August 26, 2026
Mr. Christopher Flynn
Chief Procurement Officer
1 East Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701
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Office of the Illinois State Treasurer
Request for Proposals
Program Effectiveness and Impact Research Consultant
370-200-27-022
Table of Contents
I. OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 3
II. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................... 3
III. SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................................ 4
IV. PROPOSAL............................................................................................................................ 5
V. RFP SCHEDULE AND PROCESS ..................................................................................... 10
VI. EVALUATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA..................................................................... 13
VII. CONTRACTUAL TERMS .................................................................................................. 15
Appendix A Minimum Mandatory Service Requirements
Appendix B Illinois State Treasurer Certifications, Disclosures Financial Interest and Potential
Conflicts of Interest (Disclosure Form A), and Disclosures Other Contract and
Procurement Related Information (Disclosure Form B)
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I. OVERVIEW
The Office of the Illinois State Treasurer ("Treasurer") is issuing this Request for Proposals ("RFP") for a
qualified program effectiveness and impact research consultant. The Treasurer seeks a Contractor to design
and implement survey, market research, and message-testing initiatives to strengthen statewide
understanding, adoption, and engagement with the Treasurer's programs and services and to help the
Treasurer gauge audience satisfaction with its various programs and services. Entities that respond to this
RFP ("Respondents") shall submit their responses ("Proposals") before 1:00 p.m. August 26, 2026.
The successful Respondent ("Contractor") shall assist the Treasurer in analyzing, identifying, and
recommending target audiences, barriers, motivators, and communication strategies for all Treasurer-
administered programs, including but not limited to the following: the Bright Start 529 and Bright Directions
529 College Savings Programs ("College Savings"); the Illinois 529A ABLE Program ("Illinois ABLE");
the Illinois Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program (renamed "My Illinois Savings," by which name it
will be identified in this RFP); the Treasurer's "Invest in Illinois" programs designed to expand access to
affordable financing and strengthen communities across the state ("Invest in Illinois"); and, the Illinois
Unclaimed Property program ("I-Cash" or "Unclaimed Property") (collectively, the "Programs").
Contractor will conduct mixed-method research, produce actionable insights across multiple demographic
segments, test messages and framing approaches, evaluate trusted messenger types, and develop validated
communication recommendations that support statewide outreach and program adoption. The Treasurer is
also interested in exploring multilingual market research in English and Spanish.
The Treasurer anticipates that Contractor will enter into an Agreement with the Treasurer for an initial term
of four (4) years. Upon expiration of this initial term, the Treasurer may elect to extend the Agreement for
a period of time agreed upon by the parties, not to exceed a total of ten (10) years, including the initial four
(4) years.
II. BACKGROUND
As identified above, the Treasurer administers a wide range of Programs that serve Illinois residents,
organizations, and businesses.
As the steward of these Programs, the Treasurer periodically seeks to solicit feedback from its Program
participants to better understand participant satisfaction and prioritize improvements to the Programs.
Among the broader Illinois public, awareness and understanding of the Programs' purposes, benefits, and
eligibility requirements vary significantly across communities, age groups, income levels, and other relevant
sectors. Many constituents remain uncertain about how the Programs can support their financial goals or
improve their own economic security.
At the same time, Illinois residents and organizations are experiencing financial pressures such as rising
education costs, limited access to disability savings options, gaps in retirement preparedness, and challenges
related to their overall individual financial security. These realities make it even more important for the
Treasurer to understand public perceptions of its Programs, the barriers that limit participation, and the
factors that build trust and encourage adoption.
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The proposed research is intended to provide the Treasurer the following statewide, statistically valid
insights:
1. How satisfied (or not satisfied) current Program participants are with the Treasurer's services and,
based on participant feedback, how the Treasurer may improve the design and delivery of its
Programs;
2. How residents, organizations, and employers understand the Programs, what motivates engagement,
and which messages are most effective; and
3. How language preferences, trust factors, simplicity thresholds, and economic security trends
correlate with how effectively existing outreach efforts align with constituent needs.
These findings will directly inform Program design, marketing strategies, outreach campaigns, and long-
term Program planning across all divisions of the Treasurer.
III. SCOPE OF WORK
Contractor will design and execute a comprehensive statewide research initiative that surveys Program
participants, measures broader public awareness, and assembles focus groups to enable the Treasurer to
measure the public's understanding, satisfaction with, and challenges encountered with the Programs. In
doing so, Contractor shall provide the services ("Services") below in accordance with all applicable State
and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
A. Survey Program Participants
1. Work with select Programs to survey Program participants and analyze survey results to provide the
Treasurer with an accurate understanding of participant satisfaction and participant priorities for
Program improvement.
2. Analyze and present survey results to key Treasurer programs, staff, and external partners.
B. Survey and Research Illinois Residents and Organizations
1. Work collaboratively with Treasurer personnel and designated partners to develop a baseline
understanding of Illinois residents, organizations, and businesses and their awareness and
comprehension of Programs as well as corresponding services, incentives, and benefits. In doing
so, provide the Treasurer the following information:
a. The primary barriers that prevent Illinois residents, organizations, and businesses from adopting
and using the Programs, and
b. Findings for subpopulations such as age, gender, income, homeownership status, renter status,
language preference, and other relevant demographic variables as feasible for individuals; or
business type, sector, geographic location, as feasible for businesses.
2. Test messages to determine which messages are most effective in informing key demographic
groups about the Programs.
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3. Recommend framing strategies to convey messages about the benefits of using the Programs.
4. Analyze and present results to key Programs, staff, and external partners.
5. Provide, at a minimum, quarterly reports to the Treasurer outlining Services performed and insights
gained; and provide additional reports as requested by the Treasurer.
C. Convene Focus Groups
1. Coordinate with the Treasurer to identify, recruit, and convene representative focus groups to
support deeper qualitative review of Contractor's findings.
2. Facilitate the representative focus groups to develop independent recommendations aimed at
improving economic security for Illinois children, families, individuals, organizations, and
communities.
D. Help Develop Action Plans and Tools
1. Based on survey and focus group results, provide the Treasurer with planning recommendations and
sample templates tailored for leadership and team-level use.
2. Provide implementation support and training, as needed, to assist the Treasurer in implementing
post-learning action plans.
E. Provide for Long-Term Documentation
1. Ensure that all information, materials, and documentation are delivered in accessible, user-friendly
formats suitable for permanent retention and future reuse by the Treasurer.
IV. PROPOSAL
A. Proposal Format
All Proposals must be submitted within the prescribed format to facilitate objective review. Any Proposal
that materially deviates from this format will be rejected without further consideration of its content.
Proposals that contain false or misleading statements or that provide references that do not support an
attribute or condition claimed by the Respondent may also be rejected.
Narratives should provide a concise description of capabilities to satisfy the requirements of this RFP.
Emphasis should be on clarity, brevity and completeness of response.
1. Cover Page - The cover page shall provide the name, physical address, e-mail address, and telephone
number of the person(s) available for contact regarding the Proposal. Such person(s) must be
authorized to make representations on behalf of the Respondent.
2. Table of Contents - Include a listing of the main chapters and paragraph headings contained in the
response, including page numbers.
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3. Introduction - Include any introductory remarks, not to exceed three (3) pages, deemed appropriate.
Briefly discuss such topics as the Respondent's background, management, facilities, staffing, related
experience, and financial stability.
4. Narrative -Respondent shall provide a brief five (5) page narrative, describing the general
conceptual approach Respondent would take to provide the Services and any other information
Respondent believes is relevant. Emphasis should be on clarity, brevity and completeness of the
response.
5. Answers to Questions - Respondent must respond to all of the questions presented in Section IV.B
of this RFP. Respondent's answers must include the headings (e.g. "Background") and be numbered
in the order provided in Section IV.B of this RFP.
6. Service Team - Provide an organizational chart, biographies, and resumes for the proposed Service
team, including support staff. Please identify the primary contact person and describe the role of
each key person.
7. Subcontractors - Provide a list of the subcontractor(s) Respondent will use for the Services, if any,
and the general type of work to be performed by each subcontractor.
8. State Certifications and Disclosures - Respondent and any subcontractor(s) must submit the
following three (3) fully executed documents: Illinois State Treasurer Certifications, Disclosures
Financial Interest and Potential Conflicts of Interest (Disclosure Form A), and the Disclosures Other
Contract and Procurement Related Information (Disclosure Form B).
9. Cost Proposal - Respondent's price ("Cost Proposal") shall be provided in a separately sealed
envelope.
10. Redacted Copy - If the Proposal contains any information that Respondent considers to be exempt
from public disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") (5 ILCS 140) or
other applicable laws and rules, Respondent should submit in a separately sealed envelope an
additional copy of the Proposal with proposed confidential information redacted, as detailed in
Section V.E.10 of this RFP ("Redacted Copy").
Proposals may be submitted in hard copy or electronically. Proposals submitted in hard copy form must be
submitted in a sealed envelope or package bearing the title "Program Effectiveness and Impact Research
Consultant RFP 370-200-27-022" and the Respondent's name and address. The package must include one
original copy of the Proposal. A separate envelope must contain one original and copy of the Cost Proposal.
If confidentiality of any information is asserted, one redacted copy should be provided in an additional
separate envelope.
Alternatively, Respondents may submit an electronic copy of their Proposal, with a separate Cost Proposal
and, if confidentiality of any information is asserted, an electronic Redacted Copy, to
MarketingRFP@illinoistreasurer.gov.
B. Questions to be Addressed in the Proposal
Respondents shall provide answers to the following questions:
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Background and Experience
1. Briefly describe Respondent's background, size and history with respect to the requested Services
described in this RFP. How many years of experience does Respondent have performing services
identical or similar in nature to the Services? Provide a narrative that supports why Respondent is
uniquely qualified to undertake the proposed engagement.
2. Describe any significant changes in Respondent's organizational structure, ownership or management
over the past three years.
3. Describe Respondent's experience with the following services:
a Surveying program participants,
b Surveying statewide or national audiences,
c producing actionable insights across multiple demographic segments,
d testing messages and framing approaches,
e evaluating trusted messenger types,
f assembling and managing focus groups, and
g developing validated communication recommendations.
4. Please confirm that the Respondent will comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS
530) and FOIA (5 ILCS 140), as those acts apply to the proposed Services.
5. Has Respondent been a party to a lawsuit from January 1, 2020, to present? If so, please provide a
detailed explanation.
6. Has Respondent been a party to any data breach or loss of personal, financial or other data considered
private or confidential since January 1, 2020? If so, provide details and what steps were taken to address
the issue in the short- and longer-term to prevent such a breach/loss from happening again.
7. Provide a statement certifying that none of the services would be performed outside of the United States.
If work must be performed outside of the United States, provide a detailed explanation of why this is
required and the locations.
8. Provide contact information for two client references. References must be entities for which Respondent
has provided services similar to the services requested in this RFP. For each reference, please provide
client name, individual reference name, title, email address and office phone.
Services
9. Complete Appendix A to this RFP. If Respondent attests "no" to any Service included in Appendix A,
provide an alternative to that item that will meet all of the requirements of Section III.
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10. How does Respondent propose to survey program participants, analyze survey results, and provide the
Treasurer with an accurate understanding of participant satisfaction and priorities for improvement with
the following Treasurer programs?
a. College Savings
b. Illinois ABLE
c. My Illinois Savings
11. Please describe Respondent's approach and capability to analyze and present survey results to key
Programs, staff, and external partners. Please provide examples of presentations and analyses presented
to other clients, if possible.
12. How does Respondent propose to help the Treasurer develop a baseline understanding of Illinois
residents' awareness and comprehension of I-Cash? How does Respondent propose to generate findings
for subpopulations such as age, gender, income, homeownership status, renter status, language
preference, and other demographic characteristics?
13. How does Respondent propose to help the Treasurer develop a baseline understanding of Illinois'
organizations, businesses, and residents' awareness and comprehension of Invest in Illinois?
14. How does Respondent propose to test messages to determine which messages are most effective in
informing key demographic groups about the Programs?
15. How does Respondent propose to identify, recruit, and convene representative focus groups to support
deeper qualitative review of findings generated from surveys and analyses of account holders and/or the
general Illinois public?
16. Can Respondent facilitate a representative focus group to develop independent recommendations for
Program improvement and refinement?
17. Describe Respondent's approach to providing the Treasurer with planning recommendations and sample
templates tailored for leadership and team-level use.
18. Please describe Respondent's experience with providing implementation support and training.
19. Please describe Respondent's experience with providing information, materials, and documentation to
clients in accessible, user-friendly formats suitable for permanent retention and future reuse.
Diversity
20. If publicly owned, please provide the number and percentage of members of Respondent's governance
board who are female, minority, military veterans, or persons with disabilities. Please cite with
supporting data.
21. If privately owned, is Respondent or its affiliates female, minority, persons with disabilities, or veteran-
owned or managed? For purposes of this RFP, "female, minority, persons with disabilities, or veteran
owned or managed" shall mean being owned or managed by 51% or more of a combination of female,
minority, persons with disabilities, or military veteran. Please provide the number and percentage of
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Respondent's owners who are female, minority, military veterans, or persons with disabilities. Please
cite with supporting data.
22. Please provide the number and percentage of Respondent's senior executive leaders (i.e. partner,
president, COO, managing director, or other senior executives) who are female, minority, military
veterans, or persons with disabilities. Please cite with supporting data.
23. Please provide the number and percentage of Respondent's staff (i.e. all full-time and part-time
employees) who are female, minority, military veterans, or persons with disabilities. Please cite with
supporting data.
24. What is the percentage of Respondent's intended use of subcontractors for this project, if any, that are
female, minority, persons with disabilities, or veteran-owned or managed? Please cite with supporting
data.
Corporate Responsibility - Environmental, Social and Governance Practices
25. Please note any policies, practices, and/or business strategies Respondent has in place to address long-
term environmental risks and opportunities that may impact long-term sustainability.
26. Please highlight any policies, practices, or resources that Respondent has in place to retain and enhance
its human capital.
27. Please explain how Respondent fosters a corporate governance structure that mitigates business risks
and enhances business operations.
28. Please highlight any activities, projects, or services Respondent administers to alleviate societal issues
and enhance its commitment to corporate social responsibility. Please cite with supporting data.
Illinois Presence
29. Is Respondent incorporated in Illinois? Please provide the physical address and website of Respondent's
headquarters and all Illinois branch offices.
30. Please note how many full-time employees are located at Respondent's headquarters and all Illinois
branch offices.
31. Please describe what presence Respondent has in the State of Illinois. Such "presence" can be
demonstrated by noting (a) the number and (b) the percentage of Respondent's full-time employees who
spend more than half their time in Illinois and have physical offices or a principal place of business
located in Illinois.
32. Using the definition provided above, what percentage of Respondent's subcontractors for this project,
if any, have an Illinois presence?
33. Please note whether Respondent has any plans to locate staff or hire additional staff in the State of
Illinois. Please provide supporting data.
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C. Cost Proposal
Responses must include information regarding the proposed amount of compensation for services, either as
a lump sum, by hourly rate or by other criteria. The figures provided should include all fees/costs. Pricing
schedules are to cover a four (4) year period. All of Respondent's costs to the Treasurer must be included
in the pricing as outlined above, and consistent with the requirements outlined throughout this RFP.
V. RFP SCHEDULE AND PROCESS
This Section provides the schedule and process for this RFP.
A. RFP Schedule
The following is the schedule for this RFP:
Date Event
July 17, 2026 RFP published on the Treasurer's website.
Notice of intent to participate in the Bidder's Teleconference
July 28, 2026 due by 10:00 a.m. CT
July 29, 2026 Optional Bidder's teleconference at 10:00 a.m. CT
July 31, 2026 All Respondent questions due by 10:00 a.m. CT.
August 6, 2026 Responses to all questions posted on the Treasurer's website.
August 26, 2026 Proposals due before 1:00 p.m. CT.
Week of September 14,
2026 Interviews, if any, with final candidates.
Week of September 21,
2026 If applicable, best and final offer due.
Week of September 28,
2026 Notification of award and begin negotiation of Agreement.
These dates are subject to change at the Treasurer's discretion.
B. Contact Information
The Treasurer's Chief Procurement Officer ("CPO") is the sole point of contact concerning this RFP.
Respondents should submit questions about the intent or content of this RFP and request clarification of
any and all procedures used for this procurement prior to the submission of a Proposal. Respondents
must submit their questions in writing by e-mail to the CPO, Christopher Flynn at
CFlynn@illinoistreasurer.gov by 10:00 a.m. CT on July 31, 2026.
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