UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
RFP TX2026-010
Financial Advisory Services
Higher Education Financing & Bond Issuance
Issue Date: 6/5/2026
Proposal Due Date: 7/1/2026
- INTRODUCTION
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI and/or University) is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide Financial Advisory Services related to capital financing, debt structuring, and bond issuance for institutional capital projects, public-private partnerships, strategic initiatives and project financing.
The selected firm will serve as the University’s Independent Higher Education Financial Advisor and will provide strategic guidance related to financing options, debt management, bond issuance, commercial bank financing, federal funding and capital funding strategies.
UVI seeks a firm with extensive experience advising higher education institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and institutions participating in federal financing programs such as the HBCU Capital Financing Program and inclusive of the tax-exempt for working capital and capital projects.
The University of the Virgin Islands works closely with the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority.
- BACKGROUND
The University of the Virgin Islands is a public institution serving the U.S. Virgin Islands with campuses located on:
- St. Thomas – Orville E. Kean Campus
- St. Croix – Albert A. Sheen Campus
Online classes are also offered in various subjects.
The University continues to advance major capital investments including academic facilities, housing, research infrastructure, and student support facilities.
To support these initiatives, the University seeks financial advisory expertise to assist in evaluating and structuring financing mechanisms including but not limited to:
-
- Revenue bonds
- Public financing programs
- Federal financing programs
- Commercial bank financing
- Capital financing through public/private partnerships
- Debt restructuring or refinancing opportunities
- SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected firm will provide independent financial advisory services, which may include but are not limited to the following:
3.1 Strategic Financial Advisory
-
- Advise the University on capital financing strategies
- Working capital needs
- Evaluate financing alternatives and funding structures
- Develop financing models and projections
- Assess debt capacity and credit considerations
3.2 Bond Issuance Advisory
Assist the University with planning and execution of bond transactions including:
-
- Revenue bonds
- Tax-exempt or taxable bonds
- Refinancing or refunding bonds
- Other capital market instruments
Services may include:
-
- Structuring and sizing recommendations, timing strategy, and market execution assistance
- Underwriter selection process support, trust agents and placement agents
- Evaluation of financing alternatives (tax-exempt vs taxable, bank loans)
- Credit rating agency strategy, if warranted
- Advisory for periodic reviews monthly/quarterly reporting and project-specific
- Regulatory and disclosure guidance relevant to the University
- Preparing financial projections
- Coordinating with underwriters, bond counsel, and rating agencies
- Supporting preparation of offering documents
3.3 HBCU Capital Financing Program Support
Provide advisory services related to:
-
- Participation in the HBCU Capital Financing Program
- Federal loan program compliance
- Financial modeling and structuring for program participation
3.4 Debt Management & Financial Planning
-
- Review and analyze the University’s existing debt portfolio
- Provide recommendations for refinancing or restructuring where beneficial
- Develop long-term debt management strategies
3.5 Commercial Bank Support
-
- Provide guidance on prospective financing options
- Structure the support needed to address working capital needs and interim financing on capital projects
3.6 Capital Project Financial Modeling
Assist the University with financial feasibility analyses for major projects, including:
-
- Student housing
- Academic buildings
- Infrastructure improvements
- Public-private partnership opportunities
3.7 Transaction Support
Assist the University during financing transactions including:
-
- Coordination with legal counsel, underwriters, and financial institutions
- Rating agencies
- Preparation of financial documentation
- Presentations to governing bodies
- Support during closing and issuance processes
- CONTRACT TERM
The University anticipates awarding a contract for a period of three (3) years, with the option to renew for additional terms based on satisfactory performance and institutional need.
Services will be provided on an as-needed basis during the contract period.
- PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposals should include the following information:
5.1 Firm Qualifications
-
- Firm overview and history
- Experience providing financial advisory services to higher education institutions
- Experience in providing financial advisory services to higher education institutions that are not rated by any of the rating agencies
- Experience with HBCU institutions
- Experience with rating agencies
- Experience with bond issuances, commercial bank financing and capital financing
5.2 Relevant Experience
Provide descriptions of at least three (3) similar and recent engagements, including:
-
- Institution name
- Type of financing
- Total financing amount
- Services provided
- Year completed
5.3 Proposed Team
Identify the key personnel assigned to this engagement, including:
-
- Lead Financial Advisor(s)
- Supporting analysts
- Relevant experience and qualifications
5.4 Proposed Approach
Describe the firm’s methodology for providing financial advisory services to higher education institutions.
5.5 Fee Structure
Provide a clear description of the proposed fee structure, which may include:
-
- Fixed advisory fees
- Transaction-based fees
- Hourly rates
- Retainer arrangements
The University prefers transparent fee structures with no conflicts of interest.
5.6 References
Provide three (3) client references from higher education institutions.
- EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Weight | |
| Firm Experience & Qualifications | 30% | |
| Relevant Higher Education Financing Experience | 25% | |
| Proposed Approach & Methodology | 20% | |
| Team Qualifications | 15% | |
| Cost / Fee Structure | 10% |
The University may request interviews or additional information from selected firms.
- SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Proposals must be submitted electronically to:
Procurement Office
University of the Virgin Islands
Subject Line: RFP TX2026-010 Financial Advisory Services Higher Education Financing & Bond Issuance
Proposals must be received 7/1/2026 2 PM AST
Late submissions may not be considered.
- QUESTIONS
Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing to:
Taylor Gilmore, Procurement Director
University of the Virgin Islands
bids@uvi.edu
Responses to questions may be issued in the form of an Addendum.
- GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The selected firm must comply with all applicable University policies and procurement requirements.
The University reserves the right to:
-
- Reject any or all proposals
- Waive minor informalities in proposals
- Request additional information from proposers
- Negotiate contract terms with the selected firm
All services will be subject to the University’s standard contractual requirements including insurance, indemnification, and compliance provisions.
- CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Proposers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to underwriting, financial services, or advisory services that could impact their ability to serve as an independent financial advisor to the University.
- UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Insert this section near the end of the RFP (typically under General Terms and Conditions).
University Compliance Requirements
The selected proposer will be required to enter into a formal agreement with the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and must comply with all applicable University contractual requirements.
The resulting contract shall incorporate the University’s standard contractual provisions, including but not limited to:
-
- Insurance requirements
- Indemnification and hold harmless provisions
- Non-collusion certification
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- Equal opportunity and non-discrimination requirements
- Compliance with applicable federal, territorial, and University policies
- Independent contractor status
- Data confidentiality and records retention
- Audit and access to records
Submission of a proposal constitutes acknowledgment that the proposer is willing to comply with these requirements.
The University reserves the right to require the selected proposer to execute the University’s standard contract terms and conditions prior to commencement of services.
ATTACHMENT A
Price Proposal Form
Financial Advisory Services
Proposers must complete this pricing sheet and include it with their proposal submission. All pricing must be inclusive of all costs associated with providing the services described in this RFP, unless otherwise noted.
- Advisory Fee Structure
| Service | Proposed Fee | Basis (Fixed / Hourly / Transaction-Based) |
| Annual Retainer (if applicable) | $ | |
| Hourly Rate – Senior Advisor | $ | |
| Hourly Rate – Associate / Analyst | $ | |
| Financial Modeling / Analysis | $ | |
| Capital Financing Advisory | $ |
- Bond Transaction Advisory Fees
If applicable, provide fees related to bond issuance or financing transactions.
| Financing Type | Proposed Fee Structure |
| Bond Issuance Advisory | |
| Bond Refunding / Refinancing | |
| Debt Restructuring | |
| Public-Private Partnership Financing |
Proposers should clearly describe whether fees are:
☐ Fixed Fee
☐ Percentage of Transaction
☐ Hourly Not-to-Exceed
☐ Other (Explain)
Explanation:
- Additional Expenses
Identify any additional reimbursable expenses.
| Expense Type | Cost |
| Travel | |
| Document Preparation | |
| Other (Specify) |
All reimbursable expenses must be approved in advance by the University.
- Certification
The proposer certifies that the pricing provided herein is valid for a minimum of ninety (90) days from the proposal submission deadline.
Firm Name: _______________________________
Authorized Representative: _______________________________
Title: _______________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________
