Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Retirement System, Boston, is searching for an actuarial firm to analyze its pension liabilities, according to a posting on the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission's website. The actuarial firm will conduct a biannual study of pension plan liabilities. The RFP can be requested by contacting Kevin Feeley, director of procurement, at 617-788-2575. Proposals are due May 31.
State of Hawaii Deferred Compensation Plan, Honolulu, is searching for a third-party administrator for its $46 million 457 plan for part-time employees, said Cynthia Akiyoshi, personnel management specialist. The plan issued an RFP because its contract with Life Insurance Co. of the Southwest expires this summer, Ms. Akiyoshi said, adding the firm can rebid. The RFP is available online at www.hawaii.gov/hrd. Proposals are due June 5.
Utah County, Provo, Utah, issued an RFP for a bundled provider for its $28.7 million 401(a) plan, $39 million 401(k) plan and $6 million 457 plan, according to the plan's website. The current provider for the three plans is Prudential Retirement. Lana Jensen, county personnel director, did not return calls seeking comment. The RFP is available online at www.co.utah.ut.us, and proposals are due June 6.
Illinois Teachers' Retirement System, Springfield, plans to search for two active domestic equity managers — a large-cap growth firm to handle up to $400 million and a midcap to small-cap value manager to run $215 million. Funding for the growth equity hire will come from reducing a Russell 1000 Growth index account managed by SSgA. The value equity search will be funded from the termination of Ariel Capital, which ran the money in a similar style, said Eva Golterman, public information officer. The $36.8 billion plan will also search for its first real estate consultant as well as separate contracts for real estate appraisal, insurance brokerage and commission recapture services. Details about each search will be posted on the plan's website at http://trs.illinois.gov on June 15. Ms. Golterman also said the plan's consultant, R.V. Kuhns, is conducting a formal asset allocation study that may result in changes to the plan's portfolio targets. Results of the study will be presented to the board in August.
Watertown (Mass.) Contributory Retirement System extended the deadline to June 15 on an RFP for a manager to run roughly $7 million in active domestic midcap value equities for the $80 million pension fund. The original RFP deadline of April 25 is being extended because plan officials wanted more responses, according to Barbara Sheehan, the plan's director. Funding for the new asset class will come from money in an S&P midcap value index, she said. The move is being made for diversification. The RFP is available on consultant Wainwright Investment Counsel's website at www.winvcounsel.com/rfp.html. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. EDT June 15.
Wellesley (Mass.) Contributory Retirement System issued an RFP for an investment consultant, confirmed Laurie Lizak, retirement administrator. The contract of incumbent Mercer Investment Consulting will expire later this year; the $127 million system will invite the firm to rebid. The RFP can be requested by contacting Ms. Lizak by e-mail at [email protected] Proposals are due by June 16.
Delaware College Investment Plan, Dover, issued an RFP for auditing services, according to the $280 million 529 plan's website. Ann Visalli, deputy state treasurer, did not return calls. The RFP can be found online at www.state.de.us. Proposals are due June 26.
Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, Baton Rouge, plans to issue an RFP for an active international equity manager to run $50 million, confirmed Julia LeBlanc, chief investment officer of the $1.5 billion fund. No decision has been made on whether funding would come from a general redistribution or from reducing the $120 million portfolio of existing international equity manager Walter Scott, Ms. LeBlanc said. The RFP was to be posted May 29 on the plan's website, at www.lsers.state.la.us. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. CDT June 27.
Seattle City Employees Retirement System is seeking information on PIPE funds, with the aim of investing roughly $15 million, said Mel Robertson, chief investment officer of the $1.9 billion fund. Fund officials would like to see a one- to two-page executive summary, along with a report showing performance numbers and deal flow in present and prior portfolios, Mr. Robertson said. PIPE managers traveling to the Seattle area can schedule an informal presentation with Mr. Robertson by contacting him via e-mail at [email protected] Additionally, the system is seeking information about in-state biofuel investment opportunities, Mr. Robertson said. Fund officials are considering committing $10 million to $15 million, depending on the type of investment and its structure, Mr. Robertson said. He can also be contacted via e-mail about this investment. There are no deadlines for the searches, Mr. Robertson said.
