REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO SERVE AS ESCROW BIDDING AGENT Response Due: Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:00PM EST To: Escrow Bidding Agents From: Public Financial Management, Inc. Re: Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority $45,000,000* Sales Tax and State Aid Secured Bonds, Series 2015A Introduction. As Financial Advisors to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority (the Authority ), Public Financial Management, Inc. ( PFM ) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to serve as Escrow Bidding Agent in connection with the Authority s issuance of approximately $45,000,000 1 Sales Tax and State Aid Secured Bonds, Series 2015A (Tax-Exempt) (the 2015 Bonds ). Please note that this is a preliminary amount and is subject to change based on market conditions. The Authority is planning a combined refunding issuance. The Authority has four outstanding Sales Tax and State Aid Secured bonds, Series 2005A, 2005B, 2006A, and 2007A, with total outstanding par of $38,420,000. The refunding will consist of tax-exempt bonds, and will utilize one escrow. The escrow will remain outstanding until September 1, 2017. The proceeds of the Bonds will be used for the current and advance refunding of certain outstanding General Obligation bonds. The Bonds are expected to price on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in a negotiated sale tentatively scheduled for 11:00AM EST. The settlement of the Bonds is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2015. The refunding escrow will be funded with Open Market Securities ( OMS ). Therefore, we are requesting bids for one escrow that reflects OMS pricing. 2 The Escrow Bidding Agent will be required to determine the availability and access of securities in the secondary market based on the size of the contemplated refunding and procure those securities upon pricing of the Bonds. The preliminary escrow requirements are outlined in Appendix A of this RFP. The Authority s Investment Policy is provided as Appendix B of this RFP. Additionally, the bidding agent selected for this engagement will be required to provide its own Bidding Agent Certificate. Timing. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00PM EST on Monday, November 2, 2015. The preliminary schedule for this escrow agent services procurement is as follows: Monday, October 12, 2015: Monday, November 2, 2015: Wednesday, November 11, 2015: Wednesday, November 18, 2015: Distribute Escrow Bidding Agent RFP Deadline for Responses at 5:00PM EST Anticipated Sale Date Anticipated Settlement Date Compensation will not be awarded in the event the refunding is withdrawn for any reason. Proposal Requirements. Your proposal must be submitted in a clear and concise format addressing all of the following: Letter of Transmittal (not exceeding two pages). Each proposal should be accompanied by a letter of transmittal briefly outlining your firm s experience as Escrow Bidding Agent. Please address your firm s technical capabilities, risk management practices and documentation. This letter must be signed by an officer of the bidding firm who is authorized to commit the firm s resources as specified in this RFP and include: Firm name Name and title of individual(s) preparing and responsible for the proposal. Person(s) may be different from the individual signing the transmittal page. Telephone and facsimile numbers for appropriate personnel 1 Estimated amount, subject to change. 2 The Authority reserves the right to elect to utilize SLGS instead of open market securities for the escrow portfolio should they become available. 1
Mailing and e-mail addresses for appropriate personnel Strategy. Please describe the services that your firm will provide. Discuss your recommended strategy for the escrow structuring and procurement bidding process including an explanation of the necessary steps and timing for the strategy you recommend. Please provide one scenario with one escrow (2006A and 2007A combined). Participation. Please provide a list of potential securities providers that you recommend including in the solicitation and discuss how many providers you believe are likely to participate in the escrow bidding process. Provide your recommendations on how best to maximize participation. Professionals. Please provide the names, relevant experience and proposed roles of those individuals who will be responsible for providing the services described herein. Please include complete resumes in a separate appendix. Case Study. Please provide an example of a transaction for which you served as investment advisor and escrow bidding agent and describe why your work in this transaction demonstrates your firm s strengths. References. Please provide two references of issuers for which your firm has served as investment advisor and escrow bidding agent. Fees. Please provide a schedule or fixed fee for the services described herein. Non-Collusive Bidding Certificate. Please provide a completed non-collusive bidding certification as required by Section 2878 of Public Authorities Law; such certification has been provided under Exhibit 1 to this Request for Proposals. Proposal Evaluation and Submittal. Proposals will be evaluated by the Authority and PFM. The contract for Escrow Bidding Agent will be awarded to one firm whose proposal best meets the needs of the Authority, at its sole discretion. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, cancel this solicitation and to waive any informality as deemed in its best interest. MWBE Participation. The Authority is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities among its contractors. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with Article 15-A of the Executive Law and the implementing regulations. It is the policy of the Authority to promote the use of minority and womenowned business enterprises ( MWBEs ) in procurement contracts and to solicit offers from minority and women-owned business enterprises known to have experience in the area of the goods or services to be provided, all in accordance with the BFSA Act and State and Federal laws and regulations. Although no goals for participation in the work by certified MWBEs have been set for this project, the bidding firm shall use good faith effort to provide for meaningful participation by MWBEs in the work where feasible. It is the goal of the Authority to utilize a qualified firm that has a demonstrated history of hiring, training, developing, promoting and retaining minority and women staff and to encourage participation by certified MWBE firms. All firms, at the request of the Authority, should be prepared to complete the attached Diversity Questionnaire (attached as Exhibit 2). This questionnaire elicits information about each responding firm in order to verify that its work environment demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity. By responding to this RFP, each firm acknowledges and must acknowledge in its response that: 1. The firm will submit an equal employment opportunity policy statement to Authority. 2. The firm will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, military status, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, or marital status, will undertake or continue existing programs of affirmative action to ensure that minority group members and women are afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination, and will make and document its conscientious and active efforts to employ and utilize minority group members and women in its work force on contracts with the Authority. 3. The firm will state in all solicitations or advertisements for employees that, in the performance of this contract, all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without 2
discrimination because of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, military status, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, or marital status. 4. At the request of the Authority, the firm s members will request each employment agency, labor union, or authorized representative of workers with which it has a collective bargaining or other agreement or understanding, to furnish a written statement that such employment agency, labor union, or representative will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, military status, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, or marital status, and that such union or representative will affirmatively cooperate in the implementation of the firm s obligations herein. The winning firm should be prepared, at the request of the Authority, to submit to the Authority, on a form to be provided by the Authority, a staffing plan of the anticipated work force to be utilized on the engagement with the Authority or, where required, information on the firm s total work force, including apprentices, broken down by specified ethnic background, gender, and Federal occupational categories or other appropriate categories specified by the Authority. The Authority desires to increase participation by MWBEs, certified or otherwise qualified under Article 15-A, so as to facilitate the award of a fair share of such contracts to those entities. Please submit your proposal electronically via email in PDF format no later than 5:00PM EST on November 2, 2015 to Whitney Warren (warrenw@pfm.com). Should you have any questions regarding this request or the Authority s 2015 Bonds, please do not hesitate to contact me. Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and does not discriminate against vendors on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. Thank you for your interest in serving the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority. 3
APPENDIX A Preliminary Escrow Requirements Period Ending Principal Interest Principal Redeemed Total 11/15/2015 26,528.13 26,528.13 12/03/2015 150,796.76 13,030,000 13,180,796.76 3/01/2016 657,825.00 657,825.00 9/01/2016 4,210,000 657,825.00 9,960,000 14,827,825.00 3/01/2017 303,575.00 303,575.00 9/01/2017 2,110,000 303,575.00 11,975,000 14,388,575.00 Total 6,320,000 2,100,124.89 34,965,000 43,385,124.89
Appendix B - BUFFALO FISCAL STABILITY AUTHORITY INVESTMENT GUIDELINES Introduction These investment guidelines ("Guidelines") are adopted as required by Section 2925 of the New York Public Authorities Law. ARTICLE ONE Definitions As used herein the terms set forth below are defined as follows: 1.1 "Authority" or "BFSA" means the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority, a corporate governmental agency and instrumentality of the State of New York, constituting a public benefit corporation, established pursuant to Chapter 122 of the Laws of 2003 of the State of New York. 1.2 "Comptroller" means the State Comptroller. 1.3 "Investment Funds" means all monies and financial resources available for investment by the Authority, other than proceeds of bonds issued by the Authority. 1.4 "Repurchase Agreement" means a repurchase agreement satisfying the requirements set forth in Article 4 herein. 1.5 "Securities" means any or all of the investment obligations of the categories described in Section 4.1 of Article 4 herein. 1.6 "State" means the State of New York. Scope ARTICLE TWO These guidelines shall govern the investment and reinvestment of Investment Funds and the sale and liquidation of investments, as well as the monitoring, maintenance, accounting, reporting and internal controls by and of the Authority with respect to such investment, sale, reinvestment and liquidation.
ARTICLE THREE Investment Objectives The Authority s investment activities shall have as their first and foremost objective the safeguarding of the principal amount of the Investment Funds. Additional considerations regarding the Authority s investment activities shall be liquidity of investments, realization of a reasonable return on investments and diversification of investments. ARTICLE FOUR Permissible Investments 4.1 The Authority may invest its Investment Funds in any and all of the following, if and to the extent permitted by statutes, regulations and bond resolutions applicable at the time of investment of such Investment Funds: a. obligations of the State or the United States government; b. obligations of principal and interest which are guaranteed by the State or the United States government; c. certificates of deposit, whether negotiable or non-negotiable, and banker s acceptances (1) of any of the fifty largest banks in the United States which bank, at the time of investment, has an outstanding unsecured, uninsured and unguaranteed debt issue ranked by two nationally recognized independent rating agencies at a rating category that is no lower than the then current rating of the Authority s bonds, notes or other obligations ;,or (2) the certificates of deposit are fully collateralized by obligations of the United States government or obligations the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by the United States government; d. commercial paper of any bank or corporation created under the laws of either the United States or any state of the United States which commercial paper, at the time of the investment, has received the highest rating of two nationally recognized independent rating agencies; e. bonds, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness, issued or guaranteed at the time of the investment by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Authority, Student Loan Marketing Association, Federal Farm Credit system, or any other United States government sponsored agency, provided that at the time of Page 2 of 11
the investment such agency receives, or its obligations receive, any of the three highest rating categories of two nationally recognized independent rating agencies; f. any bonds or other obligations of any state, or the United States of America or of any political subdivision thereof or any agency, instrumentality or local government unit of any such state or political subdivision which bonds or other obligations, at the time of the investment, have received any of the three highest ratings of two nationally recognized independent rating agencies; g. any repurchase agreement with any bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or any national banking association or government bond dealer reporting to, trading with, and recognized as a primary dealer by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which agreement is secured by any one or more of the securities described in paragraph (a), (b), or (e) of this subdivision, which securities shall at all times have a market value of not less than the full amount of the repurchase agreement and be delivered to another bank or trust company organized under the laws of New York State or any national banking association domiciled in New York State, as custodian; h. reverse repurchase agreements with any bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or any national banking association or government bond dealer reporting to, trading with, and recognized as a primary dealer by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which agreement is secured by any one or more of the securities described in paragraph (a), (b) or (e) of this subdivision, which securities shall at all times have a market value of not less than the full amount of the repurchase agreement and be delivered to another bank or trust company organized under the laws of New York State or any national banking association domiciled in New York State, as custodian. 4.2 Specific Requirements Regarding Certificates of Deposit 4.2.1 Collateral for a Certificate of Deposit. If a certificate of deposit is required to be collateralized pursuant to Section 2 of paragraph (c) of section 4.1 of these Guidelines, the collateral must be reviewed weekly to determine if the market value of the collateral equals or exceeds the principal amount of the uninsured portion of the certificate of deposit plus accrued interest. If the market value of the collateral is insufficient, the issuer of the certificate of deposit must exchange or add to the amount of collateral to bring its market value equal to or in excess of the uninsured portion of the principal amount of the certificate of deposit plus accrued interest. Page 3 of 11
4.2.2 Standard Terms for Certificate of Deposit Collateral Agreement. The Authority shall negotiate and enter into a written agreement with each bank (and custodian) from which it has obtained a certificate of deposit. Such written agreement shall, at a minimum, address the following concerns: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) The frequency of the valuation of the collateral to market, as set forth above (such valuation shall be done at least weekly); The right and ability of the bank to substitute like Investment Securities as collateral; Description of events of default which would permit the Authority or its custodian to liquidate or purchase the underlying Investment Securities; Description of the party who is to have title to the underlying Investment Securities during the term of the agreement; and With respect to the custodial bank, the agreement shall also provide that the custodial bank takes possession of the Investment Securities as agent of the Authority and that the claims of the custodial bank are subordinate to those of the Authority. 4.3 Specific Requirements Governing Repurchase Agreements. Notwithstanding Section 4.1 hereof, the following shall also apply to Repurchase Agreements. 4.3.1 Placement. The placement of Repurchase Agreements may be distributed among several authorized firms as appropriate to reduce the level of risk. The investment limit set for each such firm shall not be exceeded unless the Executive Director of the Authority makes a written finding that sufficient Securities are not available from other eligible firms. Not less frequently than once each year, the Comptroller or other appropriate Authority Official shall review and, if appropriate, recommend adjustment of the investment limit for each eligible seller in light of such firm's current capitalization. All investment limit adjustments shall require the approval of the Comptroller or other appropriate Authority Official and Executive Director. 4.3.2 Eligible Custodian Banks. To be eligible to hold the Securities which are the subject of a Repurchase Agreement, a custodial bank should be a member of the Federal Reserve Bank or maintain accounts with member banks to accomplish book-entry transfer of Securities to the credit of the Authority. Transfer of Securities, whether by book entry or physical delivery, should be confirmed in writing to the Authority by the custodial bank. The custodian should not be the same party that is selling the Securities. The Authority's Directors or their designee(s) must affirmatively find that a proposed custodial bank is financially sound before such bank may be eligible to perform custodial services for the Authority. 4.3.3 Maximum Maturity of Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase Agreements shall be limited to a maturity not to exceed thirty (30) days, or the Trustee will value the collateral securities no less frequently than monthly and will liquidate the Page 4 of 11
collateral if any deficiency is not restored within five (5) business days of such valuation. Collateral securities shall have maturities not exceeding twenty (20) years. 4.3.4 Standard Terms for Repurchase Agreements. The Authority shall execute a master Repurchase Agreement with each broker-dealer which outlines the basic rights of both buyer and seller including: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) The events of default which would permit the Authority to liquidate or purchase the underlying Securities; The relationship between parties to the agreement, which should ordinarily be purchaser and seller; A requirement that there be a written contract with the custodial bank outlining the responsibilities of the bank and the parties to the agreement. Such an agreement must provide, among other things, that the custodial bank will not make payment for the Securities until the bank actually receives them and that the custodial bank takes possession of the Securities exclusively for the Authority and that any claims of the custodial bank are subordinate to those of the Authority; Procedures which ensure that the Authority obtains a perfected security interest in the underlying Securities. The Authority or its custodian must take possession of the Securities being purchased by physical delivery or book entry. Furthermore, the written agreement shall contain a provision that, in the event a court of final jurisdiction construes the specific Repurchase Agreement to be a loan, the seller shall be deemed to have granted the Authority a perfected security interest in the purchased Securities; The market value of the Securities purchased under a repurchase transaction must be at least equal to the purchase price. The value of the Securities must be monitored and marked to market on a daily basis. Additional Securities shall be required if market fluctuations cause the market value of the purchased Securities to become less than the purchase price. Page 5 of 11
ARTICLE FIVE Operating Procedures 5.1 Authorized Officers and Employees. Only the following persons shall be authorized to make investment decisions on behalf of the Authority: the Chairman of the Authority's Directors; the Executive Director; and other designated members of the Board. The implementation of such investment decisions by placement of purchase or sale orders or otherwise shall be effected only by the foregoing officers and by such employees as may from time to time be designated in writing by the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Director. 5.2 Standards for the Qualification of Brokers, Dealers and Agents. Any bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or any national banking association or government bond dealer which is authorized to do business in the State may become qualified by the Authority to transact purchases and sales of Securities (other than Repurchase Agreements) with the Authority. Factors to be considered in determining the qualification of such firms shall include the firm's capitalization, quality, size and reliability, the Authority's prior experience with the firm, the firm's level of expertise and prior experience with respect to the contemplated transaction. The determination of qualification shall be made by the Comptroller and the Executive Director, who shall maintain a list of all such qualified firms. 5.3 Standards for the Qualification of Investment Advisors. For the purpose of rendering investment advice to the Authority, the Authority may qualify any bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America, any national banking association, and any partnership, authority, or person which is authorized to do business in the State. The Authority also shall consider the additional criteria (other than capitalization) enumerated in the preceding paragraph. 5.4 Standards for the Qualification of Custodial Banks. To be eligible to hold Securities as collateral for an investment made by the Authority, a custodial bank should be a member of the Federal Reserve Bank or maintain accounts with member banks to accomplish book-entry transfer of Securities to the credit of the Authority. Transfer of Securities, whether by book entry or physical delivery, should be confirmed in writing to the Authority by the custodial bank. The custodian should not be the same party that is selling the Securities. To be eligible to perform custodial services, the Authority's Directors or their designee(s) must affirmatively find that the proposed custodial bank is financially sound. Page 6 of 11
5.5 Competitive Bids; Negotiated Prices. In connection with the purchase and sale of Securities, for each transaction in excess of two and one-half million dollars ($2,500,000.00) (or such other threshold dollar amount as the Board of the Authority may specify in writing), the Authority shall utilize competitive quotations. For each transaction which is equal to or less than two and one-half million dollars ($2,500,000.00) (or such other threshold dollar amount as the Board of the Authority may specify in writing), the Authority may utilize either competitive quotations or negotiated prices. The foregoing shall not apply to the purchase of government securities at initial auction. A complete and continuous record of all quotes, solicited and received, shall be maintained by the Comptroller. For each transaction (other than the purchase of governmental securities at initial auction) in excess of two and one-half million dollars (or such other threshold dollar amount as the Executive Director may specify in writing), a minimum of three separate solicitations will be made on each direct purchase or sale of a Security (including a Repurchase Agreement). The transaction shall be awarded to the dealer(s) offering the highest yield or return, provided that, with respect to Repurchase Agreements, the amount of the investment with each individual firm does not exceed the investment limit referred to in Section 4.2.1 above. 5.6 Written Contracts and Confirmations. A written contract and/or a written confirmation shall be required for each investment transaction. With respect to the purchase or sale of Securities other than Repurchase Agreements, the Authority shall not be required to enter into a formal written contract, provided that the Authority's oral instructions to its broker, dealer, agent, investment advisor or custodian with respect to such transactions are confirmed in writing at the earliest practicable moment. A written contract shall be required for each purchase and sale of a Repurchase Agreement. 5.7 Payment. Payment for investments shall be made only upon written confirmation of presentation of the physical Security, or in the case of book-entry form Securities, when credited for the custodian's account, which shall be segregated for sole use. The custodian may act on oral instructions from an authorized officer of the Authority; such instructions are to be confirmed in writing immediately by an authorized officer of the Authority. Such collateral shall, on the date of purchase, be at least equal in market value to the amount of the investment. 5.8 Collateral. Except as specifically otherwise provided herein, the Authority's financial interest in its investments shall be fully secured or collateralized at all times in an amount not less than the original amount invested plus accrued, unpaid interest thereon. Only Securities permissible for investment by the Authority pursuant to these Guidelines (other than Repurchase Agreements) may be accepted as collateral. Pledges of proportionate interests in pooled collateral shall not constitute acceptable collateral. In the case of certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits, collateral shall be provided for amounts in Page 7 of 11
excess of the applicable limit of coverage provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Authority. Collateral shall be maintained in the custody of the Authority or an approved third party custodian at all times. To assure that, at all times, the market value of said collateral is at least equal to the original amount invested plus all accrued, unpaid interest, collateral shall be marked to market at the time the investment is made and thereafter daily with respect to Repurchase Agreements and weekly with respect to certificates of deposit. 5.9 Operating Procedure Manual. The Authority's Comptroller shall prepare a Standard Operating Procedure Manual for placing, controlling and reporting of all investment activity which shall be consistent with these guidelines, be approved by the Authority's Executive Director and shall be consistent with the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Each disbursement of funds (and corresponding receipt of Securities) or delivery of Securities (and corresponding receipt of funds) should be based upon proper written authorization. If the authorization is initially given orally, there should be written or telegraphic confirmation from the Authority's authorized officer to the custodian; The process of initiating, reviewing and approving requests to buy and sell Securities should be documented and retained for audit purposes. Dealer limits should be established and reviewed regularly; Custodians must have prior authorization from the Authority to deliver obligations and collateral. All transactions must be confirmed in writing to the authority. Delivery of obligations sold should only be made upon receipt of funds; Custodial banks should be required to report whenever activity has occurred in the Authority's custodial account; There should be at least monthly verifications of both the principal amount and the market values of all investments and collateral. Appropriate listings should be obtained from the custodian and compared against the Authority's records; A record of investments shall be maintained by the Authority's Comptroller or other appropriate Authority official. The records should identify the Security, the fund for which held, the place where kept, date of disposition and amount realized and the market value and custodian of collateral; The establishment and maintenance of a system of internal controls; Page 8 of 11
(h) (i) (j) Methods for adding, changing or deleting information contained in the investment record, including a description of the documents to be created and verification tests to be conducted; A data base or record incorporating descriptions and amounts of investments, transaction dates, interest rates, maturities, bond ratings, market prices and related information necessary to manage the portfolio; and Requirements for periodic reporting and a satisfactory level of accountability. ARTICLE SIX Reports and Audits The following reports and audits shall be prepared in connection with the Authority's investment program. 6.1 Annual Investment Report. Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year of the Authority, the Chairman shall submit to the Directors and the Authority shall file with the State Division of the Budget, Comptroller, State Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee an annual investment report, prepared with the assistance of the Comptroller or other appropriate Authority Official, which shall include the following: 1) The Investment Guidelines required by Section 2925(3) of the Public Authorities Law and any amendments to such guidelines since the last investment report; 2) An explanation of the Investment Guidelines and amendments; 3) The results of the Annual Investment Audit (described below); 4) The investment income record of the Authority; and 5) A list of the total fees, commissions or other charges paid to each investment banker, broker, agent, dealer and advisor rendering investment associated services to the Authority since the date of the last investment report. 6.2 Annual Investment Audit. Each year, the Authority shall cause its independent auditors to conduct an audit (the "Annual Investment Audit") regarding the Page 9 of 11
Authority's investments. The Authority's financial statements with respect to investments, which are required to be prepared in conformance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, should contain all of the note disclosures on deposits with financial institutions and investments required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 40, Deposit and Investment Risk Disclosure an Amendment to GASB Statement No. 3, as amended or supplemented. The Annual Investment Audit: 1) Shall determine whether the Authority complies with its own investment policies; investment assets are adequately safeguarded; adequate accounts and records are maintained which accurately reflect all transactions and report on the disposition of the Authority's assets; and a system of adequate internal controls is maintained. 2) Shall determine whether the Authority has complied with applicable laws, regulations and State Comptroller's Investment Guidelines; and 3) Should be designed to the extent practical to satisfy both the common interest of the Authority and the public officials accountable to others. 6.3 Annual Investment Audit Report. The results of the Annual Investment Audit shall be set forth in a report (the "Annual Investment Audit Report") which shall include without limitation: 1) Verification of collateral; 2) A description of the scope and objectives of the audit; 3) A statement that the audit was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States of America and Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; 4) A description of any material weaknesses found in the internal controls; 5) A description of all non-compliance with the Authority's investment policies as well as applicable laws, regulations and the State Comptroller's Investment Guidelines; 6) A statement of positive assurance of compliance on the items tested and negative assurance on those items not tested; 7) A statement on any other material deficiency(ies) or finding(s) identified during the audit not covered in (6) above; and Page 10 of 11
8) Recommendations, if any, with respect to amendment of these Guidelines. The Annual Investment Audit Report shall be filed within ninety (90) days after the close of the Authority's fiscal year within the Public Authorities Reporting Information System (PARIS). ARTICLE SEVEN Affirmative Action A program of Affirmative Action shall apply with respect to BFSA s corporate investment activities. BFSA shall seek to encourage participation by minority and women-owned financial services firms in the conduct of BFSA s corporate investment activities. ARTICLE EIGHT Miscellaneous 8.1 In connection with the Annual Investment Audit, each year the Authority shall review these Guidelines to determine whether the Authority shall amend or otherwise update these Guidelines. 8.2 The Authority's policy regarding conflicts of interest shall be followed regarding the investment of funds. Page 11 of 11
Exhibit 1: Non-Collusive Bidding Certification 1 NON-COLLUSIVE BIDDING CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY SECTION 2878 OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW BY SUBMISSION OF THIS BID, BIDDER AND EACH PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF BIDDER CERTIFIES, AND IN THE CASE OF JOINT BID, EACH PARTY THERETO CERTIFIES AS TO ITS OWN ORGANIZATION, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT TO THE BEST OF HIS/HER KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF: [1] The prices of this bid have been arrived at independently, without collusion, consultation, communication, or agreement, for the purposes of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other Bidder or with any competitor; [2] Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been quoted in this bid have not been knowingly disclosed by the Bidder and will not knowingly be disclosed by the Bidder prior to opening, directly or indirectly, to any other Bidder or to any competitor; and [3] No attempt has been made or will be made by the Bidder to induce any other person, partnership or corporation to submit or not to submit a bid for the purpose of restricting competition. A BID SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD NOR SHALL ANY AWARD BE MADE WHERE [1], [2], [3] ABOVE HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH; PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT IF IN ANY CASE THE BIDDER(S) CANNOT MAKE THE FOREGOING CERTIFICATION, THE BIDDER SHALL SO STATE AND SHALL FURNISH BELOW A SIGNED STATEMENT WHICH SETS FORTH IN DETAIL THE REASONS THEREFORE: [AFFIX ADDENDUM TO THIS PAGE IF SPACE IS REQUIRED FOR STATEMENT.] Subscribed to under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of New York, this day of, 20 as the act and deed of said corporation of partnership.
Exhibit 1: Non-Collusive Bidding Certification 2 IF BIDDER(S) (ARE) A PARTNERSHIP, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: NAMES OF PARTNERS OR PRINCIPALS LEGAL RESIDENCE IF BIDDER(S) (ARE) A CORPORATION, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: NAME LEGAL RESIDENCE President: Secretary: Treasurer:
Exhibit 1: Non-Collusive Bidding Certification 3 Identifying Data Potential Contractor Address Street City, Town, etc. Telephone Title If applicable, Responsible Corporate Officer Name Title Signature Joint or combined bids by companies or firms must be certified on behalf of each participant. Legal name of person, firm or corporation By Name By Title Address Street Legal name of person, firm or corporation Name Title Address Street City State City State
Exhibit 2 Diversity Questionnaire Only to be submitted upon the request of the Authority (I) Company Demographic Profile Job Categories Number of Employees (report employees in only one category) Race/Ethnicity Non-Hispanic or Latino Hispanic or Latino Male Female Native Hawaiian American Two Black or or Other Indian or or African- Pacific Alaska More Male Female White American Islander Asian Native Races White Black or African- American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Asian American Indian or Alaska Native Two or More Races Overall Totals Executive/ Senior Level Officials and Managers First / Mid- Level Officials and Managers Professionals Technicians Sales Workers Administrati ve Support Workers Craft Workers Operatives Laborers and Helpers Service Workers Total (NOTE: proposers can also attach Employer Information Reports EEO-1 for the last 3 years) (II) MWBE Certification Status 1. Is your company certified as a Minority and/or Woman-owned business enterprise with the New York State Department of Economic Development? Yes or No If yes, provide a copy of your certification. 2. If no, list all other jurisdictions and/or certifying bodies that have deemed your company Minority and/or Woman-owned. Also, provide a copy of each certification. 3. If your company has applied for, but has not, as of the issuance of the RFP, been certified as a Minority or Women-owned business enterprise by the New York State Department of Economic Development, you must submit proof of a pending application, including the filing date.
(III) Demographic Profile of Staff Assigned to this Engagement Number of Employees (report employees in only one category) Race/Ethnicity Non-Hispanic or Latino Hispanic or Latino Male Female Job Categories Male Female White Black or African- American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Asian American Indian or Alaska Native Two or More Races White Black or African- American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Asian American Indian or Alaska Native Two or More Races Overall Totals Executive/ Senior Level Officials and Managers First / Mid- Level Officials and Managers Professionals Technicians Sales Workers Administrative Support Workers Craft Workers Operatives Laborers and Helpers Service Workers Total (IV) EEO Firm Activity 1. Is your company s CEO or Chief Procurement Officer ( CPO ) committed to and engaged in the process of diversity business development? Yes or No If yes, attach a signed statement from your CEO or CPO. 2. Provide a copy of your company s equal opportunity and affirmative action policy.