U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Purchasing Division, Room 1230, 844 North Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611-2092

R -- TRUST FUND PERFORMANCE: PERFORMANCE REPORTS AND POLICY/STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS SOL 97-C-30 DUE 101497 POC Mr. Donald C. Augustyn, (312) 751-4535 I. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. II. This solicitation is issued as a Request-for-Quotations (RFQ) 97-C-30. III. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 12.3. IV. This solicitation is not a small business set-aside. V. The Railroad Retirement Board is an independent agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government and is responsible for administering the Railroad Retirement Act. The Railroad Retirement System covers over 1 million participants and the trust funds contain approximately $15 billion in assets invested exclusively in U.S. Treasury securities. Line Item 001. Prepare quarterly report of trust fund performance. report should measure and interpret investment results and provide summary statistics, including performance attribution. Comparison of investment return with appropriate benchmarks is required. Consultant should be able to develop custom benchmarks if needed. Reports are required for the four quarters ending 12/31/97 through 09/30/98. Each quarterly report will be due at the RRB within 30 days after the end of the quarter. Line Item 002. Provide written recommendations for investmen policy and strategy limited to Treasury market. Strategy recommendations should include a broad strategy description as well as a method for strategy implementation including types of analyses to be performed. Also, the consultant should recommend (or if appropriate provide) the quantitive tools necessary to conduct the analyses and training in the use of these tools. RRB documents available for review will include the current investment policy statement, quarterly investment report and asset/liability study. Investment policy statement and investment strategy are reviewed and updated annually. Consultant will recommend revisions and improvements to the policy and strategy consistent with the RRB's goals and objectives. Policy and strategy recommendations are required no later than 05/31/98, and should provide specific practical recommendations which are useful to RRB investment operations. Professional Requirement: To be considered for award a firm must include samples of performance reports, policy statements and/or strategy recommendations which would demonstrate a firm's experience and qualifications in performing this type of engagement. The Line item pricing must be inclusive of all fees, materials, travel expenses and production of the required printed materials. The line 002 price offer must incorporate costs associated with a one day on-site briefing at the RRB headquarters facility in Chicago, Illinois. The RRB will pay the vendor in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. Vendors interestedin competing for this engagement must provide the following: (1) Statement of work addressing each task. This statement should include detail about required research activities, staff qualifications and estimated time needs, the work steps involved in satisfying the requirement, and dollar amounts for each assigned task. (2) A milestone listing and schedule for delivery of written documents and oral presentations for each task. (3) A list of the data documents and/or interview subjects needed to perform the engagement. (4) A detail of corporate experience including references and individual expertise/qualifications in working on tasks of the kind detailed. Vendors should provide a narrative detailing the strength and expertise of fixed income research staff and their ability to formulate practical and useful investment strategies. Discuss experience in implementing formalized procedures and recommending necessary analytical tools. The RRB requires four (4) copies of the vendor's written proposal. VII. FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial items, applies to this acquisition and is hereby included by reference. VIII. FAR Provision 52.212-2 is incorporated by reference with the following addenda: In paragraph (a), (1) Proposals will be evaluated using the following technical and past performance criteria -- A. Quality of workplan to achieve defined tasks; B. Expertise and experience of staff; C. Past performance in similar engagements. The relationship of price to all other factors is 1:2. Following the evaluation of proposals, the government will select the proposal providing the best value to satisfy this requirement. IX. FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, must be completed and submitted with the offer. X. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. XI. FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, hereby applies to this acquisition. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.212-5, the following clauses are hereby incorporated by reference in paragraph (b): 52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal Improper Activity (41 U.S.C. 423); 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), 52.222-35 Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212), 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212). XII. Offers are due no later than 1:00 p.m. local time on October 14, 1997 to the above Contracting office. Mark outside of envelope clearly with "RFQ 97-C-30 enclosed" and offeror's name and address. XIII. No telephone calls will be accepted. Any further questions regarding this Request for Quotations (RFQ) must be in writing on company letterhead and can be sent or faxed to Mr. Donald C. Augustyn of the RRB Purchasing Division at 312/751-4923. The RRB will not send an acknowledgment of receipt of any firm's submission. (0268)

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