Financial Advisor Services

The State of Arkansas, through the Office of State Procurement, is seeking a financial advisor to provide advice and assistance with the financial management of the G.O. Bond Program and assist with other related matters as needed. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing financial advisory services, including bond issuance, structuring, and pricing, as well as providing expertise in areas such as bond financing, debt management, and financial planning. The contractor will also be required to work with the Bond Issuance Team, which includes underwriters, bond counsel, and other professionals. Some key responsibilities include: assisting in the selection of a bond registrar, paying agent, trustee, rebate calculations firm, escrow agent, and other professionals; creating a bond issuance schedule; examining, evaluating, and formulating a sound and flexible bond financing program; preparing and delivering financial analyses and expert advice; and providing post-bond sale analyses and reports. • The contractor must be authorized to do business in the State of Arkansas and be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board as a Municipal Advisor. • The contractor must have Professional Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $7.5 million. • The contractor must have a physical office located in the State of Arkansas and a dedicated Financial Advisor. • The contractor must have a minimum of five years' experience as an underwriter and a Price Expert with a minimum of eight years' experience working at a pricing desk on a daily basis. • The contractor must have completed a minimum of four infrastructure financings in the last four years, two of which must be refinancings. The initial term of the contract will be for three years, with the option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms. The contractor will be required to provide financial advisory services, including bond issuance, structuring, and pricing, as well as providing expertise in areas such as bond financing, debt management, and financial planning.