Investment Advisory Services

The Vendor is required to provide for investment advisory services for fund.
- In the development of its investment advisory program, the University is looking to balance a desire to maximize investment returns on its portfolio while maintaining a prudent level of risk.
- The investment objective of the equity fund is to outperform by 1% (100 basis points) per annum (net of fees) the S & P 500 on a risk adjusted basis. University also uses MSCI All World equity fund as an additional benchmark for equities.
- University currently uses Barclays Capital Aggregate for bonds as a benchmark. Bond funds should outperform by 1% (100 basis points) per annum (net of fees) as compared to the benchmark, on a risk adjusted basis.
- The University is interested in an Investment Advisory Services firm that can provide the following services:
•    Investment Policy Statement review and ongoing compliance
•    Asset allocation—per policy
•    Spending policy analysis
•    Manager search and selection
•    On-going performance analysis and evaluation
•    Opportunities for ERG investment
•    Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
•    On-going communication and review process
•    Relationship with the university providing institutional support for advancement, opportunities for student engagement
- Provide viewpoints on investing in alternative asset classes (i.e., private equity, high yield, hedge fund, ESG, etc.), suggested allocation, and minimum entry.
- Provide number of offices, number of clients, type of clients, assets under management.
- Review cash flow projections with University’s staff to ensure investments are consistent with cash requirements.
- Provide monthly reports that include mark-to-market valuation, beginning balance, amount and description of transactions, investment earnings earned and accrued.
- The committee’s management objective for the fund is to preserve and enhance its real (inflation adjusted) purchasing power while providing a relatively predictable stream of income in line with the University’s spending needs.