Presidential Search Consulting Services

Location:	Missouri
Posted:	Aug 3, 2026
Due:	Aug 25, 2026
Agency:	Truman State University
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	SP27-01
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Truman State University

Purchasing Buyer Laura Thrasher

100 East Normal Avenue

McClain Hall 106

Kirksville, MO 63501

Phone: (660) 785-4326

Email: lthrasher@truman.edu

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) – AUGUST 3, 2026

PROJECT SP27-01 PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH CONSULTING SERVICES

Submittals from minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises are encouraged.

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

2:00pm Central Time

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

DELIVERY BY MAIL

Truman State University

Purchasing Buyer Laura Thrasher

100 East Normal Avenue

Kirksville, MO 63501

SUBMIT

One (1) Electronic copy via thumb drive

or email to lthrasher@truman.edu

DELIVERY BY HAND

Truman State University

Purchasing Department

106 McClain Hall

(corner of Franklin and Normal)

Truman State University (Truman) is requesting proposals from qualified executive search firms to provide presidential

search consulting services. Proposals may be delivered to the Purchasing Department at Truman until 2:00 PM CT, August

25, 2026, at which time the names of those firms submitting proposals will be read aloud. No other public disclosure will

be made until after an award of the contract.

RFP documents are available at http://businessoffice.truman.edu/purchasing/bids/OpenBids.asp. A notification of intent to

respond to this RFP is located immediately below. This page should be submitted to notify Truman of your interest in this

project and your plan to submit a proposal. This form is also required if you wish to receive answers to questions regarding

the RFP and any addenda. RFP addenda will be issued if there are changes to this RFP.

____ YES

____ NO

INTENT TO RESPOND STATEMENT

our organization plans to submit a response to this solicitation for proposals:

NO RESPONSE STATEMENT

our organization is not submitting a response for the following reason(s):

฀ Do not offer this commodity or equivalent

฀ Schedule would not permit us to perform

฀ The project is too small

฀ The project is too large

฀

Insufficient time to respond

฀

Cannot meet delivery requirements

฀

Licensing restrictions (please explain)

฀

Other reasons

Name of Organization:

Contact Name:

Contact Address:

Contact Phone Number: ___________________________________________________

Contact Email Address: ___________________________________________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Intent to Respond .................................................................................................................................................1

Part I – Overview .................................................................................................................................................2

Part II – Specifications and Requirements ...........................................................................................................2

Part III – Proposal Evaluation and Award ...........................................................................................................3

Part IV – Contractual Agreement.........................................................................................................................5

Part V – Truman State University Proposal Certification....................................................................................8

Part VI – Firm Prepared Exhibits:

A. Description of Services................................................................................................................................8

B: Qualifications...............................................................................................................................................8

C: Pricing ..........................................................................................................................................................8

PART I – OVERVIEW

Founded in 1867, Truman is Missouri’s highly selective public liberal arts and sciences university. Truman primarily serves

full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students in a residential environment, and the institution enrolls approximately

3,900 students. Truman offers 48 undergraduate and 12 graduate degree programs, 71 minors, and several additional areas

of specialized study. The student body is exceptionally well-prepared with an average freshman ACT score of 27. Each

year, graduates seeking admission to graduate and professional schools around the world enjoy a remarkably high

acceptance rate. Truman has amongst the highest overall graduation rate and the highest freshman-to-sophomore retention

rate among Missouri's public colleges and universities.

Truman has received tremendous national recognition as one of the nation’s leading public universities, combining

outstanding economic value with a top-notch education. For twenty-nine consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has

ranked Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest region. Colleges of Distinction 2025-26 recognized Truman

as one of the best public colleges for successfully delivering high-impact practices and for having engaged students, great

teaching, a vibrant community, and successful outcomes. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025 recognized Truman as one of the

top ten public schools, naming it as a “Best Buy” for offering an outstanding educational value. Additional information

about Truman is available at www.truman.edu.

PART II – SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

This RFP contains specific information that must be addressed in the firm’s proposal response. This RFP, and any

subsequent addenda, constitute the specifications and requirements for this project. Any and all communications regarding

specifications and requirements should be directed to Truman’s Purchasing Buyer referenced on the first page of this RFP,

and it is the firm’s responsibility to ensure any request for information is received by Truman’s Purchasing Buyer. Unless

specifically stated in the RFP, the following specifications constitute the minimum requirements for this project. The firm

may suggest additions or enhancements to the following requirements. Additions or enhancements, along with their

associated costs, should be clearly delineated as optional in the firm’s proposal.

A. Specifications

1. Truman seeks a single executive search firm to conduct a thorough search to fill the position of University President.

Truman’s current President recently announced her retirement, effective July 31, 2027. Truman seeks a leader

devoted to, and articulate about, a liberal arts and sciences education for talented students at an affordable price. In

addition, Truman expects to hire an individual who will honor and advance the institution’s commitment to student

learning; who thinks creatively and strategically; and who has achieved significant success in collaborating with

external constituents.

2. The Board of Governors selection committee will review all complete proposals, and up to three firms will be

selected for presentations in late August or early September. To identify firms for interviews, the University requests

the following information:

a) Describe the overall approach you would use for conducting a presidential search for Truman State

University;

b) Provide a general timeline for the search process, including key milestones and an anticipated announcement

of the new President no later than April 2027;

c) Describe your firm’s capabilities for building a robust pool of candidates;

d) Describe your firm’s recommended approach to soliciting stakeholder input to inform the search process;

e) Provide references and contact information for recently completed presidential searches, including at least one

reference from a liberal arts and sciences institution similar to Truman; and

f) Include the specific personnel who would be involved in the search, a typical fee structure, and a sample

contract for review.

PART III –PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND AWARD

A. Preparation of Proposals

1. It will be the firm’s responsibility to ask questions, request changes or clarification, or otherwise advise Truman if

any language, specifications, or requirements of an RFP appear to be ambiguous, contradictory, and/or arbitrary, or

appear to inadvertently restrict or limit the requirements stated in the RFP to a single source. Any and all

communication from proposing firms regarding specifications, requirements, competitive procurement process,

etc., must be directed to Truman, as indicated on the first page of the RFP. All formal inquiries for significant or

material clarification or interpretation or notification to Truman of errors or omissions relating to this RFP document

must be submitted in writing and emailed to Truman’s Purchasing Buyer referenced in this RFP. Questions and

subsequent responses will be issued as an addendum to all prospective firms on file. No addenda will be issued

later than 48 hours prior to the time and date scheduled for the receipt of responses, except for an addendum

postponing or withdrawing the RFP. Every attempt will be made to ensure that the firm receives an adequate and

prompt response. However, to maintain a fair and equitable procurement process, all firms will be advised, via the

issuance of an addendum to the RFP, of relevant information related to the RFP.

2. Before submitting a proposal, firms should become thoroughly familiar with all conditions referred to in this

document and any addenda issued before the proposal submission date. Failure to do so will be at the firm’s risk.

Such an addendum will form a part of the RFP. It will be the firm's responsibility to ascertain that the proposal

includes all addenda issued prior to the proposal submission date.

3. Unless otherwise specifically stated in the RFP, all specifications and requirements constitute minimum

requirements. All proposals must meet or exceed the stated specifications and requirements.

4. Prices offered will remain valid for 90 days from proposal opening unless otherwise indicated. If the proposal is

accepted, prices will be affirmed for the specified service agreement period.

5. Only Truman’s written response(s) pertaining to this RFP, or an addendum, are valid.

6. Truman reserves the right to modify or cancel this RFP. Such action will be noted as an addendum.

B. Submission of Proposal and Award

1. A proposal submitted by a firm must include a signed RFP Proposal Certification executed by the firm’s duly

authorized representative, contain all information required by the RFP, and be delivered to Truman no later than

the exact opening time and date specified in the RFP.

2. A proposal may also be withdrawn or modified by the firm, provided requests are made in writing before the RFP

opening date and time. Verbal requests to withdraw or modify a proposal will not be honored.

3. Proposal responses must be returned (with all necessary attachments) to Truman on or before 2:00 PM on Monday,

August 24, 2026. Proposals may be emailed, mailed, or delivered in person to the addresses outlined on the first

page of this RFP.

4. All data required herein in order for the firm’s proposal to be evaluated and considered for award must be submitted.

Failure to submit such data will be deemed a cause for the disqualification of a proposal from award consideration.

Responses to this RFP should be submitted in the format specified. Proposals in any other format will be considered

informal and may be rejected. Conditional proposals will not be considered.

5. Contents of any proposal, attachment, and explanation submitted in response to this RFP, except copyrighted

material, will become the property of Truman. All copyrighted material must be clearly marked.

6. If your proposal contains any information you consider to be proprietary, you must place it in a separate envelope

or file if e-mailed and mark it “Proprietary Information.” Truman is the final authority as to the extent of material

considered proprietary or confidential. Pricing information cannot be considered proprietary.

7. Truman reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or any part thereof, or to accept any proposal, or any part

thereof, or to withhold the award and to waive or decline to waive irregularities in any proposal when Truman

determines that it is in their best interest to do so. Truman also reserves the right to hold all proposals for a period

of up to three (3) months after the opening date.

8. After the initial screening process, those firms whose proposals are selected for further consideration will be

requested to provide a presentation to the Board of Governors selection committee to answer questions in advance

of the final selection. Firms selected to give a presentation will be contacted to schedule it. The person responsible

for servicing Truman’s account will be present at this presentation. Firms are cautioned not to contact Truman

employees or members of the Board of Governors concerning this RFP during the evaluation process.

9. Truman reserves the right to consider historic information and fact, whether gained from the firm’s proposal

response, question and answer conferences, references, or any other source, in the evaluation process. Truman

reserves the right to take such steps as it deems necessary to determine the ability of a firm to perform the work,

and each firm will furnish to Truman such information and data for this purpose as it may request. Truman reserves

the right to reject any proposal response where an investigation, or consideration of the information submitted by

such firm, does not satisfy Truman that the firm is qualified to properly carry out the terms of these specifications.

It is the firm’s sole responsibility to submit information related to the evaluation categories, and Truman is under

no obligation to solicit such information if it is not included with the firm’s proposal response. Failure of the firm

to submit such information may have an adverse impact on the evaluation of the firm’s proposal. Pursuant to

Section 610.021 RSMo, proposals will not be available for public review until after a contractual agreement is

executed or all proposals are rejected. Truman will notify RFP respondents of the firm that has been selected to

perform these services. Any award protest must be received within ten (10) days after the date of notification of

award in accordance with the statute.

C. Proposal Opening.

1. Proposal openings are public on the opening date and time specified on the RFP document. Only the names of the

RFP respondents will be read at the opening. Proposal content will not be disclosed.

2. It is the firm’s responsibility to deliver the proposal to Truman by the opening date and time.

3. Proposals not received by Truman by the opening date and time will be late. Regardless of the degree of lateness

or the reason, including causes beyond the firm’s control, late proposals will not be opened.

D. Evaluation / Award

1. Any clerical error, apparent on its face, may be corrected by Truman before the contractual agreement award. Upon

discovering an apparent clerical error, Truman will contact the firm and request written clarification of the intended

proposal. The correction will be made in the notice of award. Examples of apparent clerical errors are a

misplacement of a decimal point and/or an obvious mistake in the designation of a unit.

2. Awards will be made to the firm whose proposal complies with the requirements of the RFP as outlined in Part II,

and is the most qualified proposal, considering:

a. How the firm’s products and services meet the requirements of this RFP, including capabilities for building a

robust pool of candidates and the approach(es) the firm recommends for identifying and cultivating presidential

candidates (submit as Exhibit A: Description of Products and Services).

b. Qualifications and demonstrated ability to meet the requirements of this RFP (submit the following items as

Exhibit B: Qualifications). Address the following items:

1. Provide a general overview of your firm, including parent and/or subsidiary companies.

2. Describe the firm’s qualifications and expertise in providing higher education presidential search services.

3. Provide the name, title, address, phone number, and email address of the firm’s primary contact.

4. Provide no less than five (5) customer references with contact person, position, phone number, and e-mail.

At least one (1) reference will be from a recently completed presidential search for a liberal arts and sciences

institution similar to Truman.

c. Pricing for all aspects of the requirements specified in this RFP (submit as Exhibit C: Pricing). If the firm can

provide additional services for reference and background checks, provide itemized costs for those services. Any

pricing information submitted by a firm, but not reflected in the pricing proposal, will be subject to evaluation if

deemed to be in Truman’s best interest.

d. All other evaluation criteria specified in the RFP and any subsequent negotiations.

3. In the event all RFP respondents fail to meet the same mandatory requirement in an RFP, Truman reserves the right,

at its sole discretion, to waive that requirement for all proposals and to proceed with the evaluation.

4. Truman reserves the right to waive any minor irregularity or technicality found in any individual proposal.

5. Negotiations may be conducted with those firms that submit potentially acceptable proposals. Proposal revisions

may be permitted for the purpose of obtaining best and final offers. In conducting negotiations, there will be no

disclosure of any information submitted by competing firms.

6. Any award of a contractual agreement will be made by written notification from Truman to the firm.

7. Truman reserves the right to request written clarification of any portion of a firm’s response to verify intent.

However, firms are cautioned that their response may be accepted without further clarification.

8. Missouri Preference: Proposals are being sought from Missouri and out-of-state companies. As a public institution,

Truman must follow the State of Missouri laws and regulations regarding the procurement of services. Section

34.073 RSMo states that Missouri state government agencies shall give preference to contractors, corporations, or

individuals doing business as Missouri contractors, corporations, or individuals, or which maintain Missouri offices

or places of business, when the quality of performance promised is equal or better and the price quoted is the same

or less. In assessing value, Truman may consider the economic impact to the State of Missouri for Missouri

contractors or products versus the economic impact of services or products generated from out of state. This

economic impact may include the revenues returned to the state through tax revenue obligations. Vendors must

provide the following information as it relates to this RFP:

a. A description of the proposed services that will be performed and/or the proposed products that will be provided

by Missourians and/or Missouri products.

b. A description of the economic impact returned to the State of Missouri through tax revenue obligations.

c. A description of the firm’s economic presence with the State of Missouri (e.g., type of facilities: sales office;

sales outlets; divisions; manufacturing; warehouse; others, including Missouri employee statistics).

d. If any products and/or services offered under this RFP are being manufactured or performed at sites outside the

continental United States, the firm must disclose such fact and provide details with their proposal.

9. Supplier Diversity: The State of Missouri is committed to fostering supplier diversity in state contracting. If a

respondent is a certified

a. Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) under § 37.020(3) RSMo,

b. Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) under § 37.020(6) RSMo,

c. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (SDVBE) under § 34.074 RSMo, or

d. Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VBE),

Vendors may outline your qualification in the proposal response. Other bidders are encouraged to engage certified

MBEs, WBEs, SDVBEs, and VBEs in the performance of services for Truman, and proposals may include a

diversity participation plan (maximum 2 pages) detailing: (1) proposed certified M/WBE/SDVBE/VBE contractors,

their roles, and estimated contract value percentage; (2) evidence of outreach to certified contractors; and (3)

strategies for meaningful involvement. However, the absence of such documentation will not disqualify a bid.

Truman may monitor a vendor’s compliance in meeting diversity participation levels committed to in the awarded

proposal. Truman serves from time to time as a contractor for the United States government. Accordingly, the

provider of goods and/or services will comply with federal laws, rules and regulations applicable to subcontractors

of government contracts including those relating to non-discrimination in employment (e.g. Title VII and ADEA),

employment of persons with disabilities (ADA, 29 U.S.C. § 706 and Executive Order 11758) and certain veterans

(38 U.S.C. § 4212), and contracting with small, disadvantaged business concerns (Pub. L. No. 95-507, codified at

15 U.S.C. §§ 631 et seq.). Contract clauses required by the government in such circumstances are incorporated

herein by reference.

PART IV – CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT

A. General Terms and Conditions

1. By submitting a proposal, the firm agrees to furnish all equipment, supplies, and/or services specified in the RFP,

at the prices quoted, pursuant to all requirements and specifications contained therein.

2. The contractual agreement between Truman and the firm will consist of (1) RFP and any addenda thereto, and (2)

the proposal submitted by the firm in response to this RFP. In the event of a conflict in language between the two

documents referenced above, the provisions and requirements set forth and/or referenced in the RFP will govern.

However, Truman reserves the right to clarify any relationship in writing with the concurrence of the firm, and such

written clarification will govern in case of conflict with the applicable requirements stated in this RFP or the firm's

proposal response. In all other matters not affected by the written clarification, any, the RFP will govern. The firm

is cautioned that its proposal will be subject to Truman’s acceptance without clarification.

3. A notice of award does not constitute an authorization for shipment of equipment or supplies or a directive to

proceed with services. Before providing equipment, supplies, and/or services, the firm must receive a properly

authorized contractual agreement and/or purchase order from Truman.

4. The contractual agreement expresses the complete agreement of the parties, and performance will be governed

solely by the specifications and requirements contained therein. Any change, whether by modification and/or

supplementation, must be accomplished by a formal addendum signed and approved by and between the duly

authorized representatives of the firm and Truman or by a contractual agreement change order prior to the effective

date of such modification. The firm understands and agrees that no other method and/or no other document,

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Project	Addendum/Additiona	Project Name	Date Due	Buye
SP27-01		Presidential Search Consulting Services	Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 2:00PM Central Time	Laura Thrasher

Presidential Search Consulting Services

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