As a State of Minnesota government agency, Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) adheres to statutory purchasing requirements, and procurement policies from the Minnesota Department of Administration Office of State Procurement (OSP).
For vendor opportunities across the State of Minnesota, please see the OSP Solicitations Announcements.
Current MSRS Opportunities
There are new vendor opportunities at this time
Closed MSRS Opportunities
Public Relations Consultant RFP 78
Details: MSRS requests proposals for a professional public relations consultation contractor to assist MSRS with maintenance and modifications of communication strategies. These include a proactive communication strategy, building on its brand and the topic of pensions; messaging and strategies to promote MSRS and encourage saving for both the mandatory pension plans and optional the defined-contribution plans it administers; ensuring MSRS has the opportunity to define itself on its own terms, rather than being defined by others; and building on our brand and the topic of pensions and overall retirement savings that can be modified for various stakeholders including the public, participants, and potential plan participants.
Work is anticipated to start April 15, 2024
Copy Request: To receive a copy of the Request for Proposals, please send a written request by email to: tim.rekow@msrs.us
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Tim Rekow, Deputy Director
tim.rekow@msrs.us
Proposal Deadline: Proposals in response to the Request for Proposals in this advertisement must be received 4:00 p.m. CST March 12, 2024. Late proposals will not be considered.
This request does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest. All costs incurred in responding to this solicitation will be borne by the responder.
Document:
RFP 78 - Public Relations Consultant (pdf)
RFP 78 - Q&A (pdf)
Recordkeeper Services RFP 76
Project:The Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) requests proposals from qualified firms interested in serving as the Recordkeeper for its defined-contribution plans:
• Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan (MNDCP) [a multiple-employer IRC 457(b) plan]
• Unclassified Employees Retirement Plan (UNCL)
• Hennepin County Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRHC)
• Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP)
MSRS intends to evaluate and select a recordkeeping firm for a 6-year contract period starting July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2030. Responders are asked to provide pricing for a 6-year contract in their Cost Proposal. If MSRS determines there are significant cost savings to the State to extend 10 years, and if the Department of Administration approves the extension, the resulting contract may be extended to a maximum contract length of 10 years, in increments determined by the State.
There is an incumbent Recordkeeper retained by MSRS through June 30, 2025. If MSRS selects a new Recordkeeper as part of the RFP process, the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 will be devoted to transition and data-conversion activities led by the incoming Recordkeeper.
Custodial services are specifically out-of-scope for this RFP.
Proposal Deadline: The deadline for submitting a proposal under this RFP is 4:00 p.m., Central Standard Time (CST), February 21, 2024.
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner, Contract Manager
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
RFP 76 - Recordkeeper Services (pdf)
RFP 76 - Q&A (pdf)
RFP 76 - Addendum 1 (pdf)
Custodial Services RFP 80
Project: The Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) requests proposals for financial custodian services from qualified firms. MSRS intends to evaluate and select a financial custodian for a 24-month period starting June 1, 2025, with the option to extend three (3) additional years. If the selected firm is not the incumbent, the period from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, will be devoted to transition activities. If MSRS determines there are benefits to the state to extend beyond the initial two years, and if the Department of Administration approves the extension, the resulting contract may be extended to a maximum contract length of 10 years, in increments determined by the state.
MSRS currently retains Empower Trust Company, LLC, as the Custodian for the Funds. The current five-year contract will expire on June 30, 2025 and an RFP process must be completed before a new contract can be issued. MSRS is issuing this RFP to comply with State law that requires all contracts be posted for bid when the contract reaches its maximum extension, not out of dissatisfaction with the performance of the incumbent custodian. MSRS encourages custody organizations to respond to this RFP. The incumbent Custodian is retained by MSRS through June 30, 2025.
The purpose of this RFP is to obtain a Custodian capable of providing MSRS with the custodial services necessary to fulfill its fiduciary responsibility. All cash contributions to the Plans pending investment, all cash being transferred among the investment options offered by the Plans, and all cash awaiting distribution to the participants and beneficiaries of the Plans will be held in custodian bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of the Plans’ participants and beneficiaries. The Custodian, with respect to property of the MSRS held by the custodian, is expected to:
- Hold securities
- Provide custodial services for the Money Market Fund and the Stable Value Fund and temporarily hold assets in short term investment fund where the interest remains the property of the Plan.
- Release and deliver securities of the Plans held by the Custodian upon receipt of proper instructions.
Proposal Deadline: The deadline for submitting a proposal under this RFP is 4:00 p.m., Central Standard Time (CST), February 21, 2024.
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner, Contract Manager
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
RFP 80 - Custodial Services (pdf)
RFP 80 - Addendum 1 (pdf)
RFP 80 - Addendum 2 (pdf)
RFP 80 - Q&A (pdf)
Aurora Modernization RFP 75
MSRS wants to modernize and upgrade their primary suite of business applications (Aurora). This will include: eliminating the dependency on WebSphere; separating their monolithic application into a service-based suite of smaller applications; eliminating vulnerable UI libraries as the UI is modernized; and building a suite of APIs that will allow for integration with third-party applications. The goal of this project is to select a contractor that will be creating custom software.
Work is anticipated to start after August 21, 2023.
Proposal Deadline: Proposals in response to the RFP in this advertisement must be received by email no later than June 20, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. CDT.
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner, Contract Manager
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
Request for Proposal, Aurora Modernization RFP 75 (pdf)
Cost Proposal Pricing Template (xlsx)
Addendum 1 RFP 75 (pdf)
Questions & Answers RFP 75 (pdf)
Internal Audit Service RFP 74
MSRS intends to augment its audit services with a single contractor to perform ongoing internal audit services. The selected contractor will work in consultation with the MSRS Board of Directors Audit Committee and MSRS management. MSRS seeks independent, objective assurance and ongoing audit advice to improve the operations of MSRS. The goal of this project is to enhance and protect organizational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice, and insight.
Work is anticipated to start August 1, 2023.
Proposal Deadline: Proposals in response to the Request for Proposals in this advertisement must be received by email not later than 3:00 p.m. CDT on June 15, 2023. Late proposals will not be considered. This request does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest. All costs incurred in responding to this solicitation will be borne by the responder.
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner, Contract Manager
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
Request for Proposal, Internal Audit Services RFP 74 (pdf)
Cost Detail Template (doc)
Questions & Answers RFP 74 (pdf)
Actuarial Services Request for Proposal (RFP 72)
The Minnesota State Retirement System (“MSRS” or “State”) requests proposals from qualified actuarial consulting firms interested in providing a range of actuarial services while functioning as actuarial advisor to the MSRS Board of Directors, the Executive Director of MSRS and staff. The firm awarded the resulting contract will provide various actuarial services which include consultation and advisory services, actuarial valuation services, experience studies, and other general duties. For purposes of entering into a consultant contract, this RFP complies with Minnesota Statutes 2020, Chapter 16C, and Minnesota Statutes 2020 Chapter 352.03, Subdivision 6 (6-7).
Work is anticipated to start July 1, 2022.
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
RFP 72 Actuarial Services (pdf)
Attached C Cost Detail Template (doc)
Questions and Answers (pdf)
Responses must be received not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), February 23, 2022. Late proposals will not be considered.
This request does not obligate MSRS to award a contract or complete the proposed project, and MSRS reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest. All costs incurred in responding to this solicitation will be borne by the responder.
Onsite Liebert A/C Maintenance, Repair and Supply Contract (RFB073)
MSRS is requesting bids from vendors for a maintenance, repair and supply contract to provide onsite maintenance for its Liebert Deluxe System 5 ton - DX unit located on the ground floor at 60 Empire Drive, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
Bid due date: September 21, 2021, at 3 p.m., CT
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
Request for Bid
Questions and Answers
Onsite Liebert A/C Maintenance, Repair and Supply Contract (RFB071)
MSRS is requesting bids from vendors for a maintenance, repair and supply contract to provide onsite maintenance for its Liebert Deluxe System/3 6-30 ton – DX unit located on the ground floor at 60 Empire Drive, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
Bid due date: August 30, 2021, at 3 p.m., CT
Direct questions to MSRS contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Document:
Request for Bid
Questions & Answers
Addendum
Consulting Support Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP
MSRS is requesting Quick Call Proposals from vendors to provide MSRS with technical support services for the Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains Software. The term of this contract will be two years with the option to extend for a total of five (5) years in one year increments.
Responses must be received no later than 3:00 PM, CST, February 4, 2021
Direct Questions to Contact:
Kris Wenner, Contracts Manager
kris.wenner@msrs.us
Documents:
RFP 70 MS Dynamics GP Quick Call
RFP 70 Addendum
RFP70, Q&A
Network Infrastructure Architecture on the A-10 replacements (RFB69)
Publication Date: June 17, 2020
Summary: MSRS is requesting bids from vendors for Network Infrastructure Architecture on the A-10 replacements located at 60 Empire Drive, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103.
MSRS is planning to do installation and configuration of these devices in-house. We understand, however, that MSRS may run into an issue that we cannot resolve. If this should occur, MSRS would need some type of support option that would have a vendor bill MSRS on an hourly basis. MSRS is looking for 2 TH1040S devices (today’s equivalent of our current AX2500’s) with a dedicated Cavium SSL chip, 16 GB RAM, 5 1GB copper ports and dual power supplies. The Load Balancers must be able to support each of the following functions:
- WAF
- Layer 4 and 7 Load balancing
- SSL/TLS Offloading
- Multiple balancing methods (e.g., Round Robin, DNS delegation, random LB, etc.)
- GSLB
- PI
- DDOS protection
Due Date: Email bid by Mon, June 29, 2020, at 3 p.m., CST
Contact / Questions:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us or 651-284-7762
Document:
Request for Bid
Outdoor Furniture (RFB 065)
Publication Date: Wed, December 11
Summary: MSRS requests bids for quality outdoor, weather resistant plastic lumber or synthetic resin furniture
Due Date: Tue, January 7, 2020, at 3 p.m., CST
Contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us or 651-284-7762
Document:
Request for Bid
Liebert A/C Maintenance, Repair and Supply Contract (RFP 059)
Publication Date: Friday, September 13, 2019
Summary: MSRS requests bids for maintenance and repair of its Liebert A/C unit
Revised Due Date: Wed, October 9, 2019, at 3 p.m., CT
Contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us or 651-284-7762
Document:
Request for Bid
Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains Upgrade (RFP 058)
Publication Date: Thursday, September 5, 2019
Summary: MSRS requests proposals to provide assistance in performing an upgrade from Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015 R2 to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018, or most current version.
Proposal Due Date: Friday, September 20, 2019, at 3 p.m., CT
Contact:
Kris Wenner
kris.wenner@msrs.us or 651-284-7762
Document:
Quick Call for Proposals
Questions and Answers
Board Election Services (RFP48)
Publication Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Summary: MSRS requests proposals from qualified vendors to administer the balloting process for open seats on its 11-member Board of Directors. The selected vendor will certify the election outcome to MSRS and its stakeholders, maintain an auditable trail supporting that outcome, and bring independent oversight, security, validity, and accuracy to the election process.
Proposal Due Date: June 28, 2019, at 3 p.m. CT
Contact:
Daniel McLean
daniel.mclean@msrs.us or 651-284-7789
Documents:
Board Election Services RFP Document
Disability Review Services (RFP54)
Publication Date: Monday, May 20, 2019
Summary: MSRS requests proposals from vendors to augment its disability retirement application and review process. Because the disability benefit has an impact on the cost of MSRS pensions plans, it is incumbent upon the MSRS Executive Director and the MSRS Board of Directors, as plan fiduciaries, to ensure that all disabilities approved clearly meet the criteria for this benefit.
Proposal Due Date: June 21, 2019, at 3 p.m. CT
Contact:
Daniel McLean
daniel.mclean@msrs.us or 651-284-7789
Documents:
Disability Review Services RFP Document
Exhibit A - Scope of Work
Exhibit B -Technology Responsibilities
Exhibit C - Questionnaire
Exhibit D - Technology Checklist
Exhibit E - Cost Proposal Template (Revised 6/07/2019)
Addendum (6/07/2019)
Questions & Answers
Retirement Readiness (RFI53)
Publication Date: Thursday, April 25, 2019
Summary: MSRS is interested in pursuing an RFP for retirement-readiness products and services, but wants to know first what retirement-readiness programs and services are available in the marketplace.
Proposal Due Date: Friday, May 31, 2019, at 3 p.m., CT
Contact:
Daniel McLean
daniel.mclean@msrs.us or 651-284-7789
Documents:
Retirement Readiness - Request for Information (RFI)