Alabama College Education Savings Program Trust Fund, Montgomery, is searching for a consultant for its $1.25 billion CollegeCounts 529 plan.
The consultant is expected to advise the plan on best practices of 529 plans, said Anita Kelley, director, college savings. Specific topics include program design, contract negotiations, marketing initiatives and benchmarking.
The selected consultant will replace AKF Consulting, which worked in tandem with the 529 plan's investment consultant, Pension Consulting Alliance, whose contract expires Sept. 30. AKF was notified of the new RFP and can rebid.
Callan Associates was hired as the 529 plan's investment consultant, effective Oct. 1. An RFP for investment consulting was issued in June. Callan does not advise on 529 plan best practices, Ms. Kelley said.
Wilshire Associates is the plan's record keeper.
The RFP is posted on the website of Young Boozer, Alabama state treasurer. Proposals are due at 5 p.m. CDT on Oct. 9. Interviews with selected consultants are expected in mid-November; no date for a final selection was announced.
