To provide advice and professional recommendations to the City of Strawn, Texas (the “City”) for various capital financing projects and provide assistance with possible loan, grant or disadvantaged funding through the Texas Water Development Board (“TWDB”) and/or the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). A. INTENT OF PROPOSAL The City is soliciting Request for Proposals (“RFP”) and Statement of Qualifications from interested qualified professionals to provide: strategic financial planning; analysis of market conditions; recommended investments of bond proceeds; and provide recommendations to the City for financing through programs established by TWDB. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason it finds to be in the best interest of the City. The City seeks to afford the opportunity for qualified SBE, MBE, and WBE firms to propose to provide the services described herein. B. SCOPE OF SERVICES The services to be provided by the Financial Advisor shall include, but are not limited to, the following: • Direction and coordination of all programs of financing, specifically including preparation and coordination of filing an application with the TWDB for loan or grant assistance • Advise the City of current bond market conditions • Recommend method of sale of debt instruments • Advise publications of forthcoming sales • Arrange for reports of independent consultants • Recommend as to the advisability of obtaining credit ratings and coordinate preparation and submission of information to rating agencies • Coordinate, prepare and submit required information to recognized bond insurance companies for insurance qualification, including for a TWDB loan • Coordinate efforts for delivery of debt instruments and preparation and verification of closing figures • Maintain liaison with Bond Counsel in preparation of all legal documents • Counsel in selection of paying agent/registrar • Print all debt instruments • Deliver schedule of annual debt requirements on debt instruments • Attend meetings as requested • Advise of changes in Federal and State laws and regulations • Advise on investment of funds as requested • Advise and assist in exercising any call and/or refunding • Advise and assist in the development of long-range financing plan • Provide all financing planning services as requested • Testify in litigation as requested • Make recommendation on matters of credit enhancement C. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS The Proposer shall provide a description of the history and background of the firm, identification of the services currently being provided to municipalities in Texas and other information relevant to the provision of Financial Advisory services. The following information shall be included in your proposal: 1. General information about the firm. A. Name, address, and phone number of the firm. B. History of the firm. C. List names and titles of the firm who are directly responsible for financial advisory services. D. Information pertaining to the firm's compliance with licensing and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Municipal Securities Rule Making Board. 2. References. Lists of three (3) references of cities for which similar services have been provided. 3. Identify personnel to be assigned responsibility for administering the account (provide resume and location for the individual representatives that the firm will assign to the account). 4. List the experience of the individuals assigned to the account and placement of debt instruments with the TWDB. Please list the work performed, including the dollar amount of the debt issue or other financing. Please include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of contact persons. 5. Additional services - describe any other service or experiences of the firm which you deem beneficial in acting as Financial Advisor to the City. 6. Attach a copy of financial advisory services contract proposed by your firm without fee information. D. RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS If your firm is interested in being considered as Financial Advisor for the City, proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM (Central Time) on April 29, 2022 at the office of the City. 1 copy of the proposal must be sealed and clearly marked on the face of the shipping material “FINANCIAL ADVISOR RFP”. City of Strawn, Texas P.O. Box 581 118 East Housley Street Strawn, Texas 76475 E. SELECTION CRITERIA The City shall use the following selection criteria and point system to evaluate and score each proposal. Criteria Points Experience 40 Capacity to perform 40 Familiarity with the City and TWDB 10 Affirmative Action 10 F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 1. This contract is contingent upon release of funds from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). 2. Any contract or contracts awarded under this Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the TWDB. Neither the State of Texas nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees are or will be a party to this IFB, RFP, or any resulting contract. 3. This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “fair share policy”, which includes EPA approved “fair share goals” for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) & Women Business Enterprise (WBE,) firms in the Construction, Supplies, Equipment, and Services procurement categories. EPA’s policy requires that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to SMWBE’s. Although EPA’s policy does not mandate that the fair share goals be achieved, it does require applicants and prime contractors to demonstrate us of the six affirmative steps. The current fair share goals for the State of Texas are as follows: MBE WBE Construction 12.94% 8.72% Supplies 9.68% 9.34% Equipment 7.12% 5.39% Services 10.84% 5.72% 4. Equal Opportunity in Employment - All qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap of national origin. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President's Executive Order No. 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11.375, and as supplemented in Department of labor regulations 41 CFR; Part 60. Small, minority and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit proposals.