ROCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Request for Proposal -- 403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services

Request for Proposal (RFP) and

Guidelines for Submittal

Issued: September 14, 2012

Proposals due toRockwood School District on or before

October 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

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www.rockwood.k12.mo.us

Table of Contents

Page

Notice of Request for Proposal........................................................

I. Background Information..........................................................

II. Scope of Work.........................................................................

III. Calendar of Events..................................................................

IV. Procedures for Receiving and Awarding Contract for 403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services...................................................................................

V. Authorized Signature...............................................................

VI. Required Vendor Information..................................................

VII. Evaluation................................................................................

Attachment A – References and Experience...........................

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NOTICERequest for Proposal

403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services

Rockwood School District111 East North Street

Eureka, Missouri 63025-1229

Please review all proposal submission requirements stated in this RFP and return your proposal in a sealed envelope marked “403(b) and 457(b) Proposal”. Proposals must be mailed or hand carried to the Rockwood School District, 111 East North Street, Eureka, Missouri 63025-1229, attention Purchasing Department, RFP 403(b) and 457(b). Two (2) copies of the RFP must be submitted.

The District reserves the right to amend this solicitation, reject any and all proposals, and to waive any irregularities.

Proposers are requested to respond to all RFP items. To facilitate review, the district has posted a PDF and Microsoft Word Version of the RFP. Proposers must use the Word version and insert a line after each question and record their response under each question. The response should be prominently displayed (e.g. on separate line, bold or colored). Please do not change the question. The district will interpret the answer based on the original question.

Oral communications cannot be relied upon and shall not be the basis for responding to any part of this RFP.

Misinterpretation of the specifications by the Proposer shall not relieve the Proposer(s)/ contractor(s) of responsibility to perform.

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I. Background Information.

A. Rockwood School District (District) serves more than 22,000 students in 29 schools with separate campuses for Gifted Education and Individualized Learning. The District covers 150 square miles and nine communities, and employs nearly 3,000 full-time and 1,300 part-time staff members. The District’s revenue budget for the 2011-2012 school year was in excess of $291,000,000 ($203,000,000 in operating revenue).

B. The District offers both a 403(b) and a 457(b) plan to its 4,300 employees. Approximately 550 participants contribute $2.4 million annually to the programs – currently offered through 22 vendors (under individual annuity and custodial contracts as to the 403(b) and through five vendors under the 457(b)). New vendors may be added to the 403(b) line-up upon request of five participants. The plans are administered internally, with compliance testing performed by CPI Common Remitter Services. The 403(b) plan is structured as an employer sponsored plan. The District makes certain employer contributions to both plans. Neither plan permits participant loans or hardship distributions.

C. The District’s goal is to retain a third party recordkeeper (TPA) to manage recordkeeping and administration for these two plans.

D. Offerors shall provide the District with a robust solution to the needs of the District and participants that encompasses legal and regulatory compliance, administration, recordkeeping, ease of use and outstanding customer service at a reasonable and competitive cost.

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II. Scope of Work.

A. MANDATORY PROPOSAL COMPONENTS

1. Minimum Requirements .a. Firm must be a top tier retirement plan.b. Firm must be licensed to conduct business in all 50 states.c. Firm must have experience working with clients similar in size and complexity to the

District.

2. Legal/Regulatory . Firm must:a. Provide the District with (and/or be willing to administer) individually designed plan

documents. Assist in maintaining Internal Revenue Code compliant 403(b) and 457(b) plan documents and amendments to same in order to remain in compliance with federal and state regulations.

b. Assume responsibility for maintaining the continuing legal compliance of all agreements, forms, documents, and procedures.

c. Provide employee notices (universal availability, etc.).d. Provide strict oversight of all plan activities to ensure compliance with federal and

state regulations.e. Provide representation for any IRS audit.f. Provide comprehensive information regarding taxes and tax treatment of the plans

and participant benefits.

3. Employee/Employer Account Administration . Firm must:a. Monitor employer and employee contributions to 403(b) and 457(b) plans, advise

and assist the District in taking appropriate corrective action if excess contributions occur including requirements that the providers hold certain excesses in separate accounts.

b. Establish and monitor maximum allowable employer and employee contribution (MAC) limits for all employees and all vendors/providers.

c. Manage all account activity for orphan accounts for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

d. Audit individual vendor/provider activity to ensure contributions are distributed to employee accounts and in a timely manner when received consistent with federal regulations.

e. Audit for federal and state compliance for all post-employment plan contributions.f. Administer District employer contributions and the transfer by participants of funds

for the purchase service credit from the Public School Retirement System of Missouri or the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri (collectively, “PSRS”) at no additional cost to the District or the participant.

g. Ensure that hardship distributions and loans are not made by either plan.

4. Communication/Education . Describe capability for:a. Annually providing the District with a communication plan for employees.b. Describe the education offered to employees.

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c. Providing ongoing communications to plan participants, including but not limited to newsletters.

d. Providing benefit or account statements to participants.

5. Account Service and Performance Measurements . Firm must:a. Maintain a high level of client satisfaction.b. Communicate with participants in a transparent and easy to understand fashion.c. Monitor and report on service turnaround times, and maintain turnaround times in

line with the top tier of the retirement plan provider universe.

6. Customer Service Response . Firm must:a. Provide timely customer service responses to all parties involved in the 403(b) and

457(b) plans, including employees regarding questions and activities. This includes live administrator support and real time account access for account service representatives.

b. Provide customer service call center access.c. Provide plan participants with 24/7 secured online access to plan information that is

updated on a daily basis at minimum (describe information that is available).d. Provide online access at the plan sponsor level with separate login information

(describe information that is available).e. Provide adequate website technical support for any issues arising with the

accessing of accounts. Technical support will also follow federal and state regulations and maintain, secure information back-up procedures. Please outline any additional procedures or software capabilities that are in place.

7. Account Activity. Firm must provide services related to the following activities:a. Eligibility and enrollments.b. Distribute communication and enrollment materials (describe whether you will

handle enrollment meetings).c. Handle distribution requests, which includes monitoring final and 70 ½ minimum

distributions.d. Process beneficiary changes, rollovers and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

(QDROs).e. Handle other account administration requests such as employee questions relating

to statements, distribution tax ramifications, address changes, requests for fund and prospectus information, and coordination with payroll withholding.

8. Plan Implementation. Firm must:a. Provide a detailed breakdown of the team that will manage the District’s plans and

identify each person who will manage each step in the implementation process. b. Provide a timeline of the plan implementation assuming a January 1, 2013 start

date or earlier if feasible.c. Describe the communications and procedures you will provide to assist participants

once the program is in place.d. Identify your staff members responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the plans. e. Confirm whether you are willing to send your staff members to attend retirement

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f. Provide full disclosure of team member turnover within the department that will be responsible for managing the District’s plans and identify where this department is located.

9. Data Security Privacy. Firm must:a. Describe how you will maintain the confidentiality of employee database

information.b. Confirm that the Firm has policies, procedures, data encryption, and technical

measures to prevent unauthorized access or alteration, fraud, theft, misuse or physical damage to hardware, software, communications networks and data. Describe these in detail.

c. Confirm that you understand and agree to the District’s policy that your Firm’s representatives and contractors are forbidden to sell ancillary products (such as life insurance) to participants without written consent of the District. Participant data is the sole property of the District and may not be used in any way to market other products or sold to other organizations without the express written consent of the District.

10.Fee Proposal. Firm must provide a detailed fee proposal that fully itemizes all fees including but not limited to the following:a. Setup and implementation feesb. Charges for plan administrationc. Charges for moving assets from one fund to anotherd. Cost to provide plan documents and forms, update documents and formse. Rollover and distribution feesf. Costs to attend enrollment and/or other meetings.g. Other transaction feesh. All investment related feesi. Cost of transition services upon termination of servicesj. Consulting feesk. Any other fees

Please describe options for fee payment either by investment providers directly, through assessment of participant accounts, or by employer.

Please describe any and all indirect compensation you may or will derive, including from investment providers, float on contributions, etc.

Please provide copies of fee disclosure statements you provide the Plan Sponsor and the participants and describe how frequently you distribute such statements.

11. Insurance and Indemnification.

a. Insurance. As part of the contract for these services, the Firm shall secure and maintain the following insurance and must agree to the terms described below:

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i. Commercial General Liability (bodily injury and property damage) minimum requirements $1,000,000.00 each occurrence, $2 million general aggregate, $1,000,000 products/completed operations aggregate. The District shall be named as an additional insured on this policy.

ii. Automobile liability insurance - Minimum requirement is $1,000,000 combined single limit of liability. The District shall be named as an additional insured on this policy.

iii. Workmen’s Compensation – Statutory; Employers Liability limits of $500,000/$500,000/$500,000.

iv. Coverage requirements for commercial general liability, automobile liability and employer’s liability may be met with excess/umbrella policies.

v. Professional Errors and Omissions – Minimum requirement is $1,000,000.00 each occurrence.

vi. Insurance Certificates - As evidence of the insurance, limits and endorsements required, a standard ACORD or equivalent Certificate of Insurance executed by a duly authorized representative of each insurer shall be furnished by the Contractor to the District.

vii. The Certificate of Insurance shall provide that there will be no cancellation or reduction of coverage without 30 days prior written notice to the District. Failure to maintain the insurance required herein may result in termination of the Contract at the District’s option. In the event the Contractor does not comply with the requirements of this section, the District shall have the right, but not the obligation, to provide insurance coverage to protect the District and charge the Contractor for the cost of that insurance.

b. Indemnification. The successful Firm will be required to execute standard indemnification provisions indemnifying the District.

B. GENERAL INFORMATION

Please provide detailed responses to each of the following.

1. Recordkeeping and Administration.

a. Systems Maintenance and Remittance Procedures.

i. When was the most recent independent quality control audit of your recordkeeping system performed? Please provide a copy of auditors’ most recent SAS 70 (Statement of Auditing Standards) opinion.

ii. Please detail the most efficient way for the District to remit participant data and contributions to your firm. Are there any other options? If so, please describe.

iii. Briefly describe how your system processes, and how you administer: Eligibility solicitation/determination Enrollments Sending enrollment materials to participants Assignment of PIN numbers and distribution of numbers

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Employee and employer contributions Investment election and contribution rate changes Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”) Rollovers from other plans Final distributions, lump sums, periodic payments, installments Beneficiary changes Compliance with 401(a)(9) minimum distribution requirements Roth or after-tax contributions

iv. Please describe how your system processes comply with the 403(b) and 457(b) regulations, and 415 and other regulations that apply.

v. What participant data can be held in your system?vi. What is your turn around time for processing and mailing checks for standard

termination requests?vii. Will you approve Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”)?viii. Describe your back up and disaster recovery plans. Have these procedures

been tested? Are the files archived and stored at a location off-site? How often are files backed-up? If your software was lost, is the raw data accessible to standard queries?

ix. Describe in detail your common remitter services. How long have you been providing this service? Please describe how your common remitter platform is in compliance with the 403(b) and/or 457(b) regulations.

x. Describe your procedures for establishing and maintaining Service Provider Agreements with the vendors and product providers to ensure their cooperation with information sharing needs and compliance with federal and state regulations. Please also provide a sample of the Information Sharing Agreement (“ISA”) you use, and a list of providers who have signed your ISA.

xi. Do you provide the employer with an administration manual?

b. Compliance.

i. Does your Firm prompt or remind 403(b) and 457(b) participants that they are eligible for the catch-up elections or must they notify you? If not, why? What controls are in place to assure the maximum catch-ups are not exceeded?

ii. Does your Firm prompt participants aged 50 or older about the catch-up provision available to them?

iii. What correction procedures does your Firm employ should participants exceed IRS limits? Or, if 415 limits are exceeded? Do you monitor compensation limits? Please describe in detail.

iv. Does your Firm’s system track cumulative contributions? Is the data available upon IRS audit?

v. For individuals who have contributed near their maximum limit, can you conduct a final recalculation at the end of the year? If so, can this be conducted on a plan-wide basis and reported to the District?

vi. Can your Firm provide the District with a report of participants utilizing the catch-up provisions?

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vii. Once your Firm completes compliance testing for a participant, can you forward a copy of the calculation to the District?

viii. Does your Firm have the ability to perform group testing? If so, what information would the District need to provide?

ix. What procedures will you implement so that no hardship distributions or loans are made? (The Plan does not permit hardship distributions or loans.)

x. Do you have a standard contract for either the plan sponsor or the participant? Do you have a proposed contract for this engagement? Please provide copies.

c. Tax Reporting.

Does your system provide all required tax data and compliance for plan distributions? How are withheld taxes processed for payment? Can you perform state tax withholding? Are tax statements issued?

2. Interactive Participant Service:

a. Internet Capabilities.

i. Do you offer online access at both the plan sponsor and participant level? If so, provide demonstration links and passwords.

ii. What information can the plan sponsor access? Modify?iii. What information can participants’ access?iv. How many clients are currently using your Internet product? What percent of

your client base?v. How long have information only services been available? How long have

transactions been available?vi. Please indicate the types of transactions that can be processed at your Internet

site including but not limited to: Confirmation reports PIN resets Request prospectus Reallocation or changes in investments with vendors

vii. Can participants access their plan investment account through your website? Please provide details.

viii. How many non-programmers (content only) support your site?ix. What is your average daily volume? What is the maximum you can handle?x. Do you have back-up procedures in the event your server goes down during

extreme market conditions? Please explain.xi. How are requests for fund prospectuses handled?xii. What security protocols and guarantees are in place?xiii. How many times has your Internet site experienced down times over the past

two years? How was this communicated to the Sponsor?xiv. What makes your Internet site unique from your competitors?xv. What additional interactive services/software are provided (directly and online)?

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xvi. What information do you provide to participants on your website as to contribution planning? Other education or information?

xvii. Do you provide participants with the ability to calculate the after-tax impact of a deduction on their take-home pay?

xviii. Is your website compatible with mobile devices such as smart phones? If so, is all functionality available or are there limitations when using a mobile device?

b. Call Center.

i. Does your Firm offer live administrator support? If so, do you record calls? ii. What is the toll free number participants can call to reach a representative?iii. What are the days and hours of availability for telephone account service

representatives? What training and/or credentials to they have?iv. What is the capacity of your call center? How many representatives are

available to participants at busy times? What is your average response time to participant calls for each of the past five (5) years? How do you manage capacity during periods of extreme volume?

v. Do account representatives have online real time access to the recordkeeping system and web?

vi. Do you offer phone services to non-English speaking and hearing-impaired participants?

vii. Which of the following activities will account representatives handle? (for dual responsibility, please check all that apply):

Activities VendorResponsibility

District Responsibility

Participant Responsibility

Eligibility determination?New enrollments?Dissemination of communication materials?Enrollment meetings?Contribution rate changes (including an automated interface to payroll)?Final distributions?Monitoring and soliciting age 70 ½ minimum distributions?Rollovers?QDROs?Beneficiary changes?Beneficiary tracking?Address changes?Questions on employee statements?Questions on taxability of distributions?Request for investment information?Information requests for prospectus?Payroll withholding?

viii. With your full service recordkeeping and administration, what administrative activities must the District still perform?

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3. Project Team and Implementation Approach.

a. Provide an organizational chart of your implementation team that details the depth of the team, experience of members and responsibility of each member.

b. Please provide a sample timeline of activities and timeframe. Describe who will be involved in each step and how this process will be managed.

c. If your Firm is selected, from what locations(s) will the primary client-level services be delivered from?

d. What has been your Firm’s historical turnover of account representatives managing clients like the District?

e. How many accounts does the typical case manager handle at one time?

4. Quality and Performance Standards.

a. How do you measure overall client satisfaction? How will you report satisfaction levels to the District?

b. Describe your process to resolve customer complaints. How do you measure superior service?

c. Do you offer service guarantees? If so, please describe in detail.d. Given the large number of available 403(b) and 457(b) providers, what makes

your program unique?

5. Transition Plan.

In the event of any termination of the Firm’s services, the District expects that an orderly transition will occur to a succeeding service provider. With regards to such transition-out:

a. Please describe your overall commitment to perform a transition of plan records and administrative services to a new vendor in the event that the District elects to terminate its contract with your Firm and engage a new provider. Please advise of fees, if any, for transition services following a decision by the District to terminate services.

b. What steps does your Firm take to insure the timeliness and accuracy of a transfer of data and other information during a transition? In the event of a transition that does not occur according to an agreed upon plan, will your Firm take responsibility for any and all economic losses to participants and sponsor?

c. Please describe your transition-out plan for participant records, plan level administrative records, contributions and other records and services. Provide estimates for the length of time for the transition and for man hours required from the District. Provide a draft transition plan.

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C. FIRM PROFILE

1. General Information.

Respondents to this RFP are required to include with their submissions to this RFP, a full and complete Firm profile, which must include, but not be limited to: the date of establishment, mission statement, type and confirmation of Firm’s legal entity form, Firm’s organizational structure/chart, principals’ names and titles, Firm size in relation to industry, number of employees, Firm history, financial position, and all relevant current and past experience on similar projects, including the firm’s overall experience for the provision of 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping, administration and other services. Describe any pending agreements to merge or sell your Firm.

A copy of the Firm’s most recent audited financial statement must be included with the proposal.

2. Organization:

a. Provide the name of your Firm, home office address, local business address (if applicable), phone number, and Firm title of the person(s) who the District may contact about your proposal. E-mail addresses should also be included.

b. Provide a brief history of your Firm, including year of entry into the 403(b) and 457(b) marketplace. If applicable, how many years has your Firm offered 403(b) and 457(b) products in the District?

c. How many employees do you have (locally and nationally)? How many are dedicated to the 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services?

d. Please provide the following information regarding your Firm (not your parent Firm):

i. Total assets under recordkeeping and administration services management as of the end of your most recent fiscal year?

ii. Total assets and number of participants under recordkeeping and administration services management for all 403(b) and 457(b) programs as of the end of your most recent fiscal year?

Total Assets Total Participants403(b)457(b)

iii. Total assets and number of participants under recordkeeping and administration services management for all educational institution 403(b) and 457(b) programs as of the end of your most recent fiscal year?

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Total Assets Total Participants403(b)457(b)

iv. If a current vendor of the District, total 403(b) and/or 457(b) District assets and number of participants as of the end of your most recent fiscal year?

Total Assets Total Participants403(b)457(b)

3. Experience.

a. For how many organizations and participants do you provide 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administrative services? For how many educational institution 403(b) and 457(b) clients and participants do you provide recordkeeping and administrative services?

b. Does your Firm maintain errors and omissions coverage? What are the current limits (deductible and maximum coverage)? What is the aggregate coverage? When does current coverage expire? Is there different coverage for representatives and home office employees? Provide a five-year history of any claims presented or paid.

c. Does your Firm provide a bond or other form of guarantee to protect the program, the District and/or participants from any loss resulting from fraud or dishonesty by your employees or representatives? Provide sample documentation.

d. Are you currently involved in a n y unresolved litigation? If so, please provide information regarding the basis for the litigation. Has your Firm been involved in litigation within the last five (5) years arising out of your performance or participation in a defined contribution program?

e. Has your Firm been cited, reprimanded or threatened with citation by any state or federal regulators for violations of any laws or impending regulations? If so, please describe.

f. In the past five years, has your Firm had: i) a license to do business; ii) an agent/broker license; or iii) any other license denied, revoked or suspended? If so, describe.

g. Has your Firm ever been involved in any settlements regarding its compliance services for failure to calculate or inaccurate calculations on any compliance limits?

h. What resources do you have to obtain legal opinions, interpretations of laws, regulations, etc., on issues pertaining to 403(b) and 457(b) plans? How many employees serve as legal counsel for your program to ensure compliance with all regulating agencies?

i. If applicable, detail your Firm’s credit ratings (A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) for ea c h of the last five (5) years? Have there been

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any upgrades or downgrades of your credit ratings in the past two (2) years? If so, please explain.

D. REFERENCES

Offeror must provide on Attachment A to this RFP the names and contact phone numbers of at least three (3) clients, preferably large urban and/or suburban public school systems, for whom the offeror is providing or has provided 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services. See Attachment A.

In addition, provide three educational institution 403(b) and 457(b) client references, with plans similar to ours, which are currently using these services. Please include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of K E Y H O ME O FF I CE contact persons.

Also, provide two references of educational institution 403(b) and 457(b) clients you have lost. Include names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

E. BROCHURES, CATALOGS, MANUALS, WEBSITES, LITERATURE

In addition to the formal response to this RFP, all respondents are encouraged to submit brochures, catalogs, manuals, website materials, industry literature, DVD’s and any other marketing and informational media which will support and enhance their submission value.

F. ADDED VALUE

Respondents are encouraged to describe in detail all added value or additional services or benefits available and offered at no cost to the District in their RFP responses. Attach and label as “ADDED VALUE.”

G. TRANSITION PLAN

In your response, you must confirm your understanding of and commitment to service the District’s transition and continuity needs as expressed in this section.

1. Transition on Commencement of Contract .

The 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services provider selected by the District shall assume full services in accordance with a contract executed by the parties. Service provider shall coordinate and cooperate with the District’s existing provider(s) to ensure a smooth and orderly transition with uninterrupted services.

2. Tr a n si t i on a nd Con t i nu i t y of Se r v ic e upon Ex p i r a t i on of Con t r a c t .

Continuity of services is necessary to the District. The 403(b) and 457(b) record keeping and administration provider selected by the District agrees to this philosophy and upon expiration of contract, agrees to:

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• Exercise its best efforts and cooperation for an orderly and efficient transition of 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services to another service provider or to the District.

• Negotiate a plan in good faith with the successor to determine the nature and extent of the phase-in and phase-out services required. The plan shall specify a date for services described in the plan and shall be subject to approval by the District. The existing 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services provider shall provide sufficient experienced personnel during the phase-in and phase-out periods to ensure that the services called for in the contract are maintained at the required level of need and proficiency.

• All District property (including but not limited to participant and District system records; equipment; facilities; and materials) shall be returned to the District upon termination of the contract.

III. Calendar of Events.

403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services RFP Timeline estimate.

9/14/2012 Release RFP

TBD Notice published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch

9/14/2012 RFP packages available at websitehttp://www.findrfp.com/gov/List.aspx?id=87502

10/15/2012 Responses due back

11/5/2012 Review of proposals; possible interviews; negotiations

12/6/2012 Board of Education Notification

12/20/2012 Board of Education Meeting - Approval

1/01/2013 Implementation (Earlier if feasible)

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IV. Procedures for Receiving and Awarding Contract for 403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services.

A. Proposals are to be submitted in duplicate to the Administrative Offices of the Rockwood School District, 111 East North Street, Eureka, Missouri 63025-1229, on or before 2:00 p.m., October 15, 2012. Envelopes containing proposals are to be marked: 403(b) and 457(b) Proposal. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any and all irregularities.

B. Once submitted, the proposals cannot be altered.

C. All proposals will be publicly opened immediately following the October15, 2012, deadline, and each proposal will be taken under advisement. Proposal documents become the property of the District and will not be returned.

D. The District may choose to interview any, all, or none of the proposers to obtain an accurate understanding of each proposal. A selection committee will identify the firm/team that can provide the greatest overall benefit to the District, and extend the opportunity to negotiate a contract. If the District and the highest ranked proposer fail to reach agreement, the District may negotiate with the next highest ranked proposer to reach an agreement. The District in its sole discretion shall determine whether to enter into negotiations with vendors.

E. The information presented in the RFP is not to be construed as a commitment of any kind on the part of the District. There is no expressed or implied obligation for the District to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing Proposals in response to this request.

F. All Proposals must be submitted, organized in the format set forth herein, and using any District forms as attached with this specification. Proposals submitted on forms other than the enclosed may be rejected. No alternate Proposals that significantly deviate or modify the concept and ultimate objectives of this Proposal will be considered. Non-compliance with RFP specifications will disqualify Proposals from further consideration.

G. Any explanation or statement that the proposer wishes to make must be contained with the Proposal but shall be written separately and independently of the Proposal proper and attached thereto. Unless the proposer so indicates, it is understood that the Vendor has proposed in strict accordance with the RFP requirements.

H. The selection of the Firm, if any selection is made, will be made at a regularly scheduled Board of Education business meeting.

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I. Proposer’s Ethics and Collusion

Collusive Proposals: Any proposer that submits more than one proposal in such a manner as to make it appear that one of the proposals submitted is competitive with that of a different Vendor, or any two or more Vendors that agree to fix their respective proposals in such a manner as to be awarded a contract shall be disqualified from further consideration of award of this contract and shall be subject to any applicable penalties under the law.

Bribery: Any Vendor that attempts to influence a District official to award this contract to such Vendor by promising to provide or by providing to such District official any gratuity, entertainment, commission or any other gift, in exchange for a promise to award the contract to such Vendor shall be disqualified from further consideration of award of this contract and shall be subject to any applicable penalties under the law.

Conflict of Interest: Any Vendor that knows of any District official having a material direct or indirect financial interest in such Vendor shall be required to submit a written statement, along with the Request for Proposal, detailing such interest. Failure to disclose such a known financial interest shall result in the Vendor’s disqualification from further consideration of award of this contract.

V. Authorized Signature.

Each proposal must include an original signature from an individual authorized to represent the Firm and a statement from the offeror stating that the statements made in the Firm’s proposal are true and correct and that unless otherwise expressly stated in the contract between the parties, the terms of the RFP are understood to be included as part of any agreement between the Firm and the District that relates to providing 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services.

VI. Required Vendor Information.

The written proposal form shall contain the following information:

Acceptance of the 403(b) and 457(b) Recordkeeping and Administration Services proposal provisions. If your firm will not accept the conditions set forth in this Request For Proposal in its entirety, any exceptions must be noted.

Answers to the questions and requests for information herein and the documentation requested in this RFP must be included in your proposal.

All Proposers submitting responses must provide two (2) paper copies marked RFP 403(b) and 457(b) Proposal.

All proposals must be submitted in a sealed package(s) with the following information clearly marked on the front of the package:

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DUE DATE: October 15, 2012

Rockwood School DistrictAttention: Purchasing, RFP 403(b) and 457(b)111 East North StreetEureka, Missouri 63025-1229

A Transmittal letter prepared on the proposer’s business stationery must accompany the proposal.

VII. Evaluation

The District advertises this RFP as an opportunity for interested and qualified firms specializing in 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services to submit proposals consistent with the scope of work stated herein. Respondents to this RFP are encouraged to submit their most comprehensive, innovative, and creative proposals for 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services for the District.

All proposals will be carefully reviewed and evaluated for responsibility, capacity, business strength, qualifications, expertise, demonstrated experience in the provision of and implementation of 403(b) and 457(b) recordkeeping and administration services for large urban/suburban public school districts, and highest and best value to the District with consideration to quality, approach, timeliness, dedicated personnel, and value added (if any). Proposal conformance to RFP instructions, terms, conditions, and requirements is critical to offeror’s responsiveness.

The District may, at its sole discretion, select or reject all or portions of the service(s) proposed from responsive offerors. As a part of the evaluation process, the District may find it necessary to evaluate the addition or deletion of components of a respondent’s proposal in order to make equivalent comparisons to other proposals.

The District will select the offeror whose proposal the District determines best meets the needs of the District.

The lowest-cost proposal submitted may not necessarily be determined to be the most responsive and responsible proposal when all factors have been considered. However, the quoted price is an important factor in the determination of the selected proposal.

Upon completing evaluation of all proposals, the District will select the most acceptable proposal. After selection, but prior to contract award, the District reserves the unilateral right to negotiate any aspect of the proposal or proposed contract in any manner that best serves the needs of the District and is within the scope of the solicitation. Subject

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to successful negotiations and approval by the Board of Education, the District will enter into a contract with the selected Firm.

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Attachment AReferences and Experience

Each Proposer must submit a minimum of three references. Each reference must be presently using the services similar to those requested in this RFP in both quality and quantity. No reference may be an affiliate of the Proposer or the Proposer’s officers, directors, shareholders or partners.

LIST CURRENT CONTRACTS FOR L A R G E U R BA N AND/OR SUBURBAN P UB LIC SC HOO L S Y S TE M S, FO R W HO M TH E OFFE R O R IS P R O V I D I N G O R HA S P R O V I DED 4 03 ( b ) A N D 457 ( b ) R E C O RD K EEP I N G AND A D M I N IS T R AT I O N S E R V IC E S : INCLUDE CONTACTS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH REFERENCE. USE ADDITIONAL PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS:

1) Company Name:_____________________________________________________

Business Address: __________________________________________________

Name/Title of Contact: _______________________________________________

Phone Number of Contact: ______________ E-Mail Address: _______________

Contract Length: __________________ Contract Value: ___________________

2) Company Name:_____________________________________________________

Business Address: __________________________________________________

Name/Title of Contact: _______________________________________________

Phone Number of Contact: ______________ E-Mail Address: _______________

Contract Length: __________________ Contract Value: ___________________

3) Company Name:_____________________________________________________

Business Address: __________________________________________________

Name/Title of Contact: _______________________________________________

Phone Number of Contact: ______________ E-Mail Address: _______________

Contract Length: __________________ Contract Value: ___________________________

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