What the buyer needs
AI summaryA government authority in San Diego, CA, seeks a vendor to provide retirement plan administrator services, including implementation, recordkeeping, plan compliance support, and participant access via web, mobile, and telephone. The vendor must also deliver annual participant communication and education, plan sponsor support with a secure portal, and cybersecurity, privacy, fraud-prevention, and disaster-recovery programs. Eligibility is restricted to onshore organizations located in the United States, and the selected vendor will perform all work offsite. The resulting contract period will last for three years, and the buyer is currently looking for proposals without a specified budget. The buyer will hold a pre-bid meeting on December 1, 2026, for interested applicants. Prospective bidders must submit all questions no later than December 3, 2026.
Scope of work
- Retirement plan administration and recordkeeping for 401(a) and 457 plans
- Participant education, counseling, and communication services
- Investment menu offerings and self-directed brokerage option
- Online transaction and information capabilities for participants and Plan Sponsor
- Plan compliance support and tax reporting
- Implementation, transition of assets and services, and incumbent coordination
- Plan Sponsor relationship management and reporting
- Cybersecurity, privacy, and business-continuity programs
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Firm Strength, Size, Experience and Qualifications | Not specified |
| Record Keeping, Data Security and Custody | Not specified |
| Participant Services | Not specified |
| Plan Sponsor Services | Not specified |
| Investments and Investment Flexibility | Not specified |
| Transition | Not specified |
| Proposed Fees and Expenses | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience administering governmental Section 457 and 401(a) plans
- Currently provide sole-provider administration to at least five (5) Section 457 and 401(a) plans totaling at least $25 million
- Duly qualified to do business in the State of California
- Able to offer a self-directed brokerage option
- No front-end or back-end charges, and no transfer/withdrawal restrictions or penalties
- Willing to have representatives attend Committee meetings in-person and remotely (no more than quarterly)
- Knowledge of and compliance with Local, State of California, and federal regulations
- SSAE 18 SOC 2 compliant with unqualified opinions or FedRAMP compliant for hosted solutions
Documents to include with your response
- Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Attachment A – Business Organization Statement
- Attachment B – Declaration of Non-Collusion
- Attachment C – Prime Respondent: Eligibility and Preference Verification Certificate
- Attachment D – Questionnaire
- Attachment E – Exceptions to Agreement (if needed)
- Attachment H – Audited Financial Statements (last 3 years)
- Attachments G and I-AA (as requested in Questionnaire)
- Respondent's Master Service Agreement (if applicable)
- Exhibit B – Compensation & Payment Schedule (if applicable)
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via the Authority's online bid management website
- Instructions
- Submit four PDF Response Files: (1) Cover Letter (max 2 pages), narrative (max 20 pages), and Attachments A-C, E; (2) Attachment D Questionnaire, Attachments G and I-AA; (3) Master Service Agreement; (4) Attachment H Audited Financial Statements. Must be registered as a vendor.