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September 21, 2018
RE: General Investment Consultant Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Board of Trustees of the Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax
County ERFC (ERFC) is requesting proposals from qualified full service investment consulting firms.
ERFC is a public sector defined benefit plan, which operates under terms incorporated in a Fairfax County
Ordinance and the ERFC Plan Document. ERFC is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees that
has fiduciary responsibility for the retirement plan, as well as the exclusive authority to contract for
investment, actuarial and legal services. The Board of Trustees has exclusive responsibility for
investments of the assets of the Fund. The asset allocation for ERFC’s $2.4 billion Fund is as follows:
U.S. Large Cap Stocks 13%
U.S. Small Cap Stocks 5%
International Stocks 12%
Emerging Markets Stocks 5%
Equity Real Estate 9%
Private Equity 7%
Total Equities 51%
Broad Fixed Income 29%
Global Asset Allocation 10%
Better Beta 5%
Absolute Return 5%
The pension fund’s assets are managed externally by approximately 27 investment management firms
and advisors under contract to the Board, and monitored by the general investment consultant. The
Board is now seeking proposals for a general investment consultant. The general investment consultant
assists the Board by providing advice and expertise with respect to the overall management of the assets
of the Fund. Detailed information about ERFC is contained in its Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report, a copy of which is available on ERFC’s website, www.fcps.edu/ERFC. The objectives,
guidelines and performance standards for the assets of the Fund are detailed in ERFC’s Statement of
Investment Policy which is also available on the website. The intended schedule for this RFP process
appears below.
RFP Schedule
Issue RFP Fri 9/28/18
Bidder Questions Due Fri 10/5/18
Responses to Questions Due Fri 10/12/18
All Responses Received Wed 10/31/18
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Committee Selects Finalists Wed 11/15/18
Site Visits November/December 2018
Board Presentations (consultant
selection)
Thu 1/17/19
Please note these dates are subject to change based on the availability of the Board and ERFC staff.
Qualified responses six hard copies of the proposal be received by 5 p.m. EST on October 31, 2018, at the
following office:
The Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC)
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 300
Springfield, Virginia 22151-2205
In addition, an electronic copy must be sent to [email protected] by 5 p.m. EST on October 31, 2018.
Proposals received past the deadline and/or proposals that are incomplete or do not meet the
minimum standards will be automatically disqualified. Additional information may be requested at
any time from bidding organizations, and addenda to the RFP may be issued at any time during the bid
process. ERFC’s standard Agreement for Professional Investment Consultant Services is attached to the
RFP; respondents will be expected to be comfortable providing services under the general terms laid out
in the Agreement. All information received is subject to the Public Records Act, Virginia Freedom of
Information Act, and will be presented in an open Board meeting.
Questions concerning this RFP should be sent by e-mail to Eli Martinez, [email protected].
Sincerely,
Eli Martinez
Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer
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Table of Contents Statement of Work .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Intent ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Background ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Selection Considerations ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Bidder Qualifications .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Scope of Services ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
Questionnaire ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Organization ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Personnel and Experience .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Investment Philosophy and Process .................................................................................................................... 14
Standards of Conduct ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Fees ................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
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Statement of Work
Intent It is the intent of these specifications, terms and conditions to describe investment consulting services
being requested by ERFC.
ERFC intends to award a five-year contract (with option to renew) to the bidder selected as the most
responsible bidder whose response conforms to the RFP and meets ERFC’s requirements.
Scope ERFC is committed to providing comprehensive, high quality, and cost effective benefit plans and
programs that provide optimum value to ERFC, its employees and its retirees. ERFC is seeking to
establish a contractual relationship with an investment consulting firm to assist in achieving these goals
including the mutual development of and asset allocation that support ERFC’s mission and key
objectives.
Background ERFC is a legally separate single-employer retirement system and fund established under Virginia Code
Section 51.1-801 to provide pension benefits to all full-time educational and administrative support
employees who are employed by the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and who are not covered by
another Fairfax County plan. As such, and as a fund under the financial control of the School Board, the
System’s financial statements are included in the Schools’ basic financial statements as a pension trust
fund.
The System contains two primary benefit structures, ERFC and ERFC 2001. Both are defined benefit
structures. The original structure, ERFC, became effective July 1, 1973, and is coordinated with the
benefits members expect to receive from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and Social Security. It
remains in effect; however, it was closed to new members employed after June 30, 2001. Effective July
1, 2001, all newly hired full-time educational and administrative support employees were enrolled in
ERFC 2001, hereinafter referred to as ERFC 2001 Tier 1. Tier 1 was closed to new members employed
after June 30, 2017 but remains in effect as well. For ERFC members hired on or after July 1, 2017,
ERFC 2001 Tier 2 was established.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of ERFC. The ERFC Board comprises seven members—
three appointed by the School Board, three elected by the System’s active membership, and one trustee
who is neither affiliated with, nor employed by FCPS, its School Board, nor by any union or similar
organization representing FCPS employees. The initial six trustees annually select and recommend the
seventh ERFC Board member, or “individual Trustee,” for approval by the FCPS School Board. The
ERFC executive committee comprises the chairperson and treasurer.
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Selection Considerations The criteria identified below are considered by ERFC to be of greatest importance in selecting the new
consulting actuary. Specific response, comment or clarification may be offered to the extent that any of
these issues are not fully addressed in the written response. The ordering of these criteria does not
signify the priority in importance.
Organization 15%
Personnel and Experience 30%
Investment Philosophy and Process 30%
Fees 25%
The successful bidder will provide comprehensive evaluation of the investment results achieved by the
designated investment managers. The investment consultant will also make recommendations to the
Trustees of appropriate actions to be consider which will enhance the probability of achieving the
Fund’s overall objectives. A detailed list of contract services and deliverables is shown below.
Bidder Qualifications 1. Bidder Minimum Qualifications
a. Bidder shall be a SEC-registered investment advisor or exempt from such registration
(Form ADV or disclosure of the nature of the exemption must be submitted).
b. Bidder must have provided investment consulting services comparable to those detailed
in the Scope of Services Section of this RFP to at least two (2) public pension plans, one
or more of which must have had at least $5 billion in assets, for a minimum of five years
as of June 30, 2018.
c. Bidder will agree to act as a fiduciary with respect to the Fund.
2. The bidder must designate an approved lead account consultant who has been regularly engaged
in the business of providing investment consulting services to public employee retirement
systems and has at least 15 years of experience with major public employee retirement systems.
The investment consultant must be an employee of the firm. ERFC reserves the right to reject
the firm’s choice of an investment consultant and may terminate the contract if investment
consultant, acceptable to the ERFC Board of Trustees, cannot be made available by the firm.
Scope of Services ERFC is searching for a qualified investment consulting firm to assist the Board by providing advice and
expertise with respect to the investment and management of the assets of the Fund. Responding firms
must demonstrate extensive experience and superior capability for providing those investment
consulting services that are critical to the success of a public pension plan investment program. The
selected consultant will report to the Board of Trustees of the The Educational Employees’
Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) and will be expected to attend Board
meetings when requested, as well as any special Board or Committee meetings as necessary. Regular
Board meetings are normally held once a month in Springfield, Virginia. At the discretion of the Board,
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and dependent upon the qualifications of the firm selected, the Consultant may provide some or all of
the following services:
1. Advise on the development, implementation and/or revision of investment policies and
guidelines.
2. Analyze and advise on the capabilities of investment managers, including the analysis of a firm’s
personnel, investment philosophies and processes, internal and risk controls, risk-adjusted
performance and performance relative to benchmarks and peers.
3. In conjunction with ERFC Trustees and Staff, periodically review the performance of investment
managers through various methods, including interviews and on-site visits.
4. Provide annual asset allocation reviews and recommendations, including annual reports of
general economic conditions and forecasts of capital markets, interest rates, inflation, and risk
and returns for all asset classes.
5. Advise on portfolio structure (e.g. active vs. passive, investment style mix).
6. Provide research and reports on various investment topics, and provide educational presentations
to the Board or Staff as requested.
7. Conduct, assist and advice in manager searches, selections, watch list placements and
terminations.
8. Perform quarterly performance analysis by manager, asset class, and total fund, including peer
universe comparisons at the asset class and total fund levels, and provide quarterly reports on
same.
9. Advice on prospective alternative investment assets, such as hedge funds, overlay strategies, etc.
10. Shepherd, monitor and grow existing private markets portfolio.
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Questionnaire
Respond fully to each of the following questions.
Organization
1. Please provide firm and primary contact information.
Name of the firm: _____________
Primary Contact Title Address Phone and E-mail
2. Indicate your office location(s). Provide the number of employees located in each office
location and describe the general function(s) of each office.
Office Location Number of Employees Office Function
3. Please describe your firm’s history and current ownership structure. Include the year your firm
was established and the year you began to provide investment consulting services to tax-
exempt pension clients. List the owners of the firm from largest to smallest percentage
ownership. If any changes to the firm’s organizational structure are known or anticipated,
please describe. Make sure to include the information in the table provided below (as of June
30, 2018).
Year founded
# of firm employees (in total)
# of investment professionals (in total)
# of investment professionals (projected to be
assigned to ERFC)
% of firm owned by employees
Location (city and state)
Parent Company (or equivalent)
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4. Provide information on organizational control/decision-making interests by your parent
organization and other affiliated parties (i.e., board seats, compensation structure, equity
participation, and other ongoing concerns, etc.).
5. Provide an organization chart of your firm and describe the relationship between the
investment consulting group and any other components of the firm.
6. For the year ended June 30, 2018, please list all services provided by the firm and the
percentage of total income that such services represent. If the firm has an ultimate parent
company, please list the percentage of total income that the firm’s services represent to the
ultimate parent company.
Type of Service % of Total Firm Revenue % of Total Parent Revenue
7. Please provide a copy of the firm’s most recent Form ADV Parts I and II.
8. Please identify all affiliated institutes, conferences, symposia, foundations, or other institutions
and for each, identify related sponsors, members or other participants, and remuneration paid
by them during the preceding three years.
Affiliation Participant Name Paid in
2017
Paid in
2016
Paid in
2015
Personnel and Experience
9. Who should ERFC contact regarding any questions about the information contained in your
response to this RFP? Who will be the lead consultant? Provide the following contact
information for each: title, phone, email, and address.
Name/Title Phone Email Address
RFP Contact
Lead Consultant
Client Service
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10. Provide biographies of personnel to be assigned to the ERFC relationship, including educational qualifications,
years of institutional investment experience, years of institutional investment consulting experience, and total years
with the firm. Also provide the total number of accounts assigned to each individual and include the name, plan
type, length of relationship, and size of each assigned client account.
Education Consultant #1 Consultant #2 Consultant #3 Client Service
Institutional investment
experience
Institutional investment
consulting experience
Years with firm
Number of accounts
assigned
Name account #1
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #2
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #3
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #4
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #5
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Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #6
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
Name account #X
Plan type
Relationship length
Account size
11. Describe the firm’s compensation and incentive arrangements for consultants and other professional staff.
Staff type Compensation/incentive structure
Consultant
Performance analyst
Client service
Other
Other 2
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12. Calculate the turnover rate in senior level staff in each of the last five years. Indicate the
number of people lost in the following areas.
Consultants
Year Annual Turnover
Rate
Number of
Consultants Lost
Total Number
of Consultants
1
2
3
4
5
Technical Personnel
Year Annual Turnover
Rate
Number of
Technical Staff Lost
Total Number
of Staff
1
2
3
4
5
13. Please provide the number of institutional clients and assets under advisement the firm has
serviced in an all-inclusive, or full-retainer, fee capacity at the end of each of the last five
calendar years.
Year Number of full retainer clients Assets under advisement
1
2
3
4
5
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14. Please provide length of relationship of educational employee clients in the table below.
Client Name Current Client
(Yes/No)
Past Client
(Yes/No)
Length of
Relationship
15. For each of the last five calendar years, please provide the name and dollar amount of assets
advised for every all-inclusive retainer fee investment consulting client that terminated their
relationship with the firm. Provide the reason for each termination.
Year Client name(s) Amount of assets advised
1
2
3
4
5
16. Please list the number of institutional clients and assets under advisement the firm has serviced
on a project basis over the last five years. Please describe the types of projects for which you
were retained.
Year Number of
project clients
Assets under
advisement
Type of Project
1
2
3
4
5
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17. List six references for public pension funds with assets each in excess of $1 billion for the Lead
Consultant and Co-lead Consultant to be assigned to the ERFC account: three clients that are
currently receiving investment consulting services and three terminated clients for whom
investment consulting services had been provided. For each reference include client name,
contact person, address, telephone number, email address and services provided in the table
below:
Active Clients Terminated Clients
1 2 3 1 2 3
Client
Name:
Contact
Person:
Address:
Telephone
Number:
Address:
Services
Provided:
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Investment Philosophy and Process
18. Describe the firm’s philosophy with respect to investment consulting. What key strengths and
competitive advantages does the firm possess that generate superior performance and service to
pension plan clients?
Philosophy:
Strengths and advantages:
19. In your view, how should a client measure its investment consulting firm’s performance?
Please explain. How does the firm measure its own performance?
Client measurement of consultant’s performance:
Consultant’s own measure of performance:
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20. Discuss the theory and methodology of the asset allocation models the firm utilizes. Describe
your process for establishing asset class risk and return assumptions, particularly for asset
classes such as real estate and private equity. What asset classes are included in the model?
How frequently does the firm review its capital markets expectations?
Theory and methodology of asset allocation models:
Process for asset class risk and return assumptions:
Process for real estate and private equity risk and return assumptions:
Asset classes included in model:
Frequency of capital markets expectations review:
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21. Describe the firm’s process for assisting clients with investment policy guideline development
and review. What specifically would the firm do to develop or review the policies of the
Fund? How would the Fund be involved in the process?
Process for investment policy guideline development and review:
Specific actions for development or review of current Fund policies:
Fund involvement:
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22. Please describe the firm’s manager research database. Is the database proprietary or purchased
from an outside vendor? Are managers charged for inclusion? How many managers are
tracked? What is the method for gathering information on the investment managers? How
often is the data updated?
Manager research database description:
Proprietary or purchased
Managers charged for inclusion
Number of managers tracked
Method for information gathering
Frequency of data update
23. Please describe the firm’s manager search process. How does the firm initially screen
managers? What criteria are emphasized in the latter stages of a search? How many manager
searches did the firm perform in 2017?
Initial screening process
Criteria emphasized in latter
search stages
Searches performed in 2017
Searches performed in 2016
24. Does the firm use some form of pre-approved manager list? Why is this practice superior or
inferior? Please attach a complete list of your firms pre-approved money managers—including
private markets managers if applicable.
Use pre-approved manager list (yes/no)?
Defense or argument against pre-approved manager lists:
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25. Please describe the firm’s experience and capability for analyzing manager structure. What
influence does a client’s current manager roster have on the selection of a new manager?
Experience and capability for analyzing manager structure:
Influence of client’s current manager roster on new manager selection:
26. Please describe how the firm monitors investment managers. Please include the firm’s
experience and capability for assessing an investment manager’s total performance. Besides
investment returns, what key criteria does the firm consider in the review of an investment
manager? At what point would the firm recommend terminating an investment manager?
Method of monitoring of investment managers:
Experience and capability for assessing performance:
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Criteria in review of investment manager (besides returns):
Termination point:
27. What is the percentage of investment manager turnover across all client portfolios over the last
five years?
Year Investment manager turnover rate
1
2
3
4
5
28. Does the firm keep a record of all manager recommendations made to public pension plan
clients?
29. Ideally, what is the best-practice clients can implement to monitor consultant performance?
30. How are consultants’ recommendations to clients reviewed and monitored by your
organization?
Recommendation type Method for monitoring
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31. Does the firm adhere to a level of consistency in consultant recommendations?
32. What systems are in place or do you recommend to assess your performance as an investment
consultant?
Standards of Conduct
33. Please list the revenue derived from investment consulting services as a percentage of total
firm revenue over the last five years (all clients and public pension fund clients).
Year
% of Revenue from
Investment Consulting
% Revenue from Investment
Consulting Public Pension Funds
1
2
3
4
5
34. Has the firm, its principals or any affiliate ever: (a) been the focus of a non-routine Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) inquiry or investigation or a similar inquiry or investigation
from any similar federal, state or self-regulatory body or organization; (b) been a party to any
litigation concerning fiduciary responsibility or other investment related matters; or (c)
submitted a claim to your errors & omission, fiduciary liability and/or fidelity bond insurance
carrier(s)? If yes to any, please provide details.
Details
SEC/Federal/State Inquiry
Fiduciary responsibility
litigation
Errors & omissions claim
35. What percentage of clients pay some or all of their consulting fees through soft dollar
arrangements?
36. Does the firm have a written code of conduct or set of standards for professional behavior? If
so, attach a copy and state how are they monitored and enforced.
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37. Has the firm adopted the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct? If so,
how is employee compliance monitored?
CFA Code adopted Compliance monitoring method
38. How does the firm identify and manage conflicts of interest?
39. Has your organization or any officer or principal of your organization been involved in
litigation related to consulting activities? If so, provide a brief explanation and indicate the
current status of the proceedings in the table below:
Practice Country Briefly Describe
Allegation
Outcome
Investment
Other
40. Does the firm retain any clients for whom it provides both general investment consulting
services and specialized private market consulting services? If so, please explain how your
firm avoids conflicts of interest, i.e. long-term marketing advantages, competitive advantages,
asset allocation bias, etc.
41. Within the last five years, has the firm or an officer or principal derived any remuneration
from any third party investment manager; and if so, please identify with particularity the
manager, the amount of remuneration and the consideration you provided in exchange for the
remuneration.
Manager Remuneration amount Consideration provided
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Fees
42. Please provide the flat annual fee your firm would charge for providing all of the requested
services.
43. Indicate any additional categories of consulting work not listed in the Scope of Services that
would be considered to be “special projects” that would not be included in the flat annual fee
quoted in response to Question 37 (services not listed are assumed to be part of the flat annual
fee engagement). Define specifically how “special projects” would be billed.
Project category Billing method
Exhibits
44. Please include as exhibits sample copies of the following:
a. Manager search book
b. Manager due diligence report
c. Research report
d. Quarterly performance review
e. Capital markets projections
f. List/sample of client resource tools
g. Alphabetical client list segregated by
i. Type of client, i.e. endowment, public fund, etc.
1. Educational, government, corporate, etc.
h. Private market resources, segregated by type, i.e. RE, PE, NR, Inf.
i. Team/expertise
ii. Firms last 5 years of deal flow volume
US_ACTIVE-142562868
AGREEMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the Effective Date as
defined herein, by and between The Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System
of Fairfax County (“ERFC”) and [______________________________] (“Consultant”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, ERFC requires expert consulting services to assist the Board of Trustees of
ERFC (“Board”) in prudently investing the assets of the retirement system; and
WHEREAS, Consultant proposes to provide investment consulting services to ERFC and
Consultant represents that it has the experience, licenses, qualifications, staff and expertise to
perform said services in a professional and competent manner; and
WHEREAS, ERFC wishes to engage the services of Consultant as more particularly
described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, it is mutually agreed by and between ERFC and Consultant that
Consultant shall provide the services to ERFC on the terms and conditions as set forth herein.
ARTICLE 1 – SCOPE OF WORK AND PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES
1.1 Consultant agrees to furnish the services set forth in Exhibit A, Scope of Services,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference and any other services to which
the parties agree (collectively, the “Services”). Services shall include all documents,
materials, reports, manuals, plans, and specifications related to the Services.
1.2 Consultant’s Services shall be completed and submitted in accordance with ERFC’s
standards specified, and according to the schedule listed, in Exhibit A. The completion
dates specified herein may be modified by mutual agreement of ERFC and Consultant.
Consultant agrees to diligently perform the services to be provided under this Agreement.
In the performance of this Agreement, time is of the essence.
1.3 Consultant represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(a) It is duly organized and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which it conducts
its business.
(b) It has the professional skills and expertise necessary to perform the services to be
performed under this Agreement and will provide ERFC with expert advice and
recommendations concerning the prudent investment of the assets of the
retirement system.
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(c) It has all the appropriate licenses and professional certifications necessary to
perform the services and shall maintain them in good standing during the term of
this Agreement.
(d) It will perform the Services in accordance with the highest standard of skill and
expertise prevailing among those consulting firms providing investment
consulting services to public employee defined benefit pension funds in the
United States.
(e) It acknowledges that ERFC is relying upon the professional skill and expertise of
Consultant to perform the Services.
(f) Acceptance by ERFC of the Services shall not operate as a release of Consultant
from its professional responsibility for the Services.
1.4 Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee of ERFC. Consultant
expressly warrants that it will not represent to any third party for any reason that it is an
employee of ERFC.
1.5 Consultant agrees to maintain in confidence and not disclose to any person or entity,
without ERFC’s prior written consent, any confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the services, processes, or operations of ERFC, including without limitation
investment, financial, accounting, member and statistical information pertaining to
ERFC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the obligations of the Consultant set
forth in this Section 1.5 shall not apply to any information of the disclosing party which:
(i) is or becomes a part of the public domain through no wrongful act of Consultant; (ii)
was in the Consultant’s possession free of any obligation of confidentiality at the time of
ERFC’s communication thereof to Consultant; (iii) is developed by Consultant
completely independent from the confidential information of ERFC; or (iv) is required by
law or regulation to be disclosed, but only to the extent and for the purpose of such
required disclosure after providing ERFC with advance written notice if reasonably
possible such that ERFC is afforded an opportunity to contest the disclosure or seek an
appropriate protective order. Subject to the limitations and restrictions contained in this
Agreement, Consultant further agrees to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any
person or entity, any data, information, technology, or material developed or obtained by
Consultant on behalf of ERFC during the term of this Agreement.
1.6 Subject to the limitations and restrictions contained in this Agreement, the studies,
reports, and other documents prepared or caused to be prepared by Consultant or others
acting on its behalf in connection with performing the Services (collectively,
“Documents”) shall be delivered to and shall become the exclusive property of ERFC.
Consultant may retain and use copies of such Documents, with written approval of
ERFC.
1.7 Consultant shall retain all rights, title and interest (including, without limitation, all
copyrights, patents, service marks, trademarks, trade secret and other intellectual property
rights) in and to all technical or internal designs, methods, ideas, concepts, know-how,
- 3 - US_ACTIVE-142562868
techniques, generic documents and templates (“Tools”) that have been previously
developed by Consultant or such Tools developed during the course of the provision of
the Services provided such Tools do not contain and/or are not based upon or derived
from any ERFC confidential information or proprietary data. Rights and ownership by
Consultant of its Tools shall not extend to or include all or any part of ERFC’s
proprietary data or ERFC confidential information. To the extent that Consultant may
include in the materials any pre-existing Consultant proprietary information or other
protected Consultant materials, Consultant agrees that ERFC shall be deemed to have a
fully paid up perpetual license to make copies of the Consultant owned materials as part
of this engagement for its business purposes and provided that such materials cannot be
modified without the written permission of Consultant.
1.8 At all times during the Term of this Agreement, as herein defined, the Services shall be
performed under the direct supervision of [________________________] (the “Lead
Account Consultant”). It is understood that no substitution for the Lead Account
Consultant will be permitted without the express prior written consent of ERFC, upon
action of its Board. In the event the Lead Account Consultant is absented from ERFC’s
account for any reason during the Term, and the Board has not approved a qualified
substitute for in writing, the Board may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’
written notice to Consultant.
1.9 Consultant shall meet with the ERFC’s Board at 8-12 investment-oriented Board
meetings per year at the times and places designated by the Board. Consultant agrees that
the Services include the Consultant’s attendance at Board meetings as needed in
Springfield, Virginia, as requested by the Board.
ARTICLE 2 – COMPENSATION
2.1 For the performance of all Services described in the Scope of Services contained in
Exhibit A, ERFC agrees to pay Consultant actual costs incurred, subject to compensation
for services in accordance with the method and amounts described in Exhibit B, attached
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Consultant certifies that the proposed
cost and pricing data used herein are complete, current, and accurate.
2.2 In the event of any changes affecting the Scope of Services resulting from new findings,
unanticipated conditions, or other conflicts or discrepancies, Consultant shall promptly
notify ERFC of the identified changes and advise ERFC of the recommended solution.
Work shall not be performed on such changes without ERFC’s prior written
authorization.
ARTICLE 3 – TERM AND EFFECTIVE DATE; NOTICE TO PROCEED
3.1 Unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement, the term of this Agreement
shall commence on the Effective Date, as defined herein, and continue for five years and
may be renewed thereafter on a year-to-year basis (collectively the “Term”). The Term
may be extended by the parties by mutual agreement.
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3.2 This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which both parties’ authorized
signatories shall have executed the Agreement as indicated below (“Effective Date”).
Consultant shall commence work under the terms of this Agreement on the Effective
Date.
ARTICLE 4 – TERMINATION
4.1 This Agreement may be terminated by ERFC for cause upon one-day’s written notice to
Consultant. “Cause” shall include, but not be limited to, Consultant’s breach of this
Agreement or tortious conduct in connection with the performance of this Agreement or
any Services; the material unavailability of the Lead Account Consultant; and any
adverse action taken against Consultant by any state or federal regulatory agency or by
any other person or entity in connection with Consultant’s professional activities. This
Agreement may be terminated by ERFC without cause for any reason upon thirty (30)
days’ written notice to Consultant.
4.2 If this Agreement is terminated by ERFC, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation
for Services satisfactorily performed to the effective date of termination; provided
however, that ERFC may condition payment of such compensation upon Consultant’s
delivery to ERFC of any and all completed Documents provided to Consultant or
prepared by or on behalf of Consultant for ERFC in connection with this Agreement.
Payment by ERFC for the Services satisfactorily performed to the effective date of
termination shall be the sole and exclusive remedy to which Consultant is entitled in the
event of termination of the Agreement, and Consultant shall be entitled to no other
compensation or damages and expressly waives same. If ERFC has prepaid for any
Services, Consultant will forthwith remit a pro rata amount of the prepayment
representing the unearned portion of the prepayment.
4.3 This Agreement may be terminated by Consultant upon sixty (60) days written notice to
ERFC only in the event of substantial failure by ERFC to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement through no fault of the Consultant. Prior to terminating the Agreement,
Consultant shall endeavor informally to resolve any issue or dispute with ERFC.
Following termination and upon request, Consultant agrees to cooperate with ERFC in
arranging a satisfactory transition of investment consulting services to another consultant.
4.4 This Agreement may be terminated immediately by written mutual agreement.
4.5 If this Agreement is terminated, payment to Consultant for Services rendered shall be in
proportion to the percentage of work that ERFC judges was satisfactorily performed up to
the effective date of termination.
ARTICLE 5 – INDEMNIFICATION, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
5.1 Indemnification
Consultant expressly agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless ERFC and its Board
members, officers, directors, agents and employees (for purposes of this Article,
collectively, “ERFC”), from and against any and all loss, liability, expense, demands,
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and/or damages, including attorneys’ fees and costs, for any third party claims or suits
brought against ERFC arising out of or resulting from the wrongful acts or omissions,
and/or violations of applicable law, by Consultant and/or anyone acting on its behalf,
which result in injury to a person or damage to property.
5.2 No Limitation of First-Party Liability to ERFC
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to nor shall limit Consultant’s liability to ERFC
for any and all loss, liability, claims, expense, demands, and/or damages, including
attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or relating to the wrongful acts or omissions of
Consultant and/or anyone acting on its behalf.
5.3 Insurance Requirements
Prior to the Effective Date, Consultant shall have obtained, and thereafter shall maintain
during the Term of this Agreement, and for so long thereafter as claims may be brought
for acts or omissions occurring during the Term of this Agreement, all the insurance
required in this Section 5.3, and shall submit certificates for review and approval by
ERFC not less than annually. Each certificate of insurance except for professional
liability shall confirm that ERFC is an additional insured under the policy. Consultant’s
insurers shall be subject to ERFC’s reasonable acceptance. Consultant shall make its
insurance policies and all endorsements available to ERFC for inspection and copying
upon reasonable request.
Acceptance of any such certificate shall not relieve Consultant of any of the insurance
requirements, nor limit the liability of Consultant. Consultant’s insurance coverage shall
be primary; any other coverage available to ERFC shall be excess to Consultant’s and not
contribute to it.
(a) Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Consultant shall obtain and maintain during the Term of this Agreement and as
extended, Workers’ Compensation Insurance, providing coverage for all of its
employees and others acting on its behalf working in connection with performing
the Services. In lieu of evidence of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, ERFC
will accept a Certificate of Self Insurance from the Virginia Workers’
Compensation Commission.
(b) Commercial General Liability Insurance
Consultant shall obtain and maintain during the Term of this Agreement and as
extended, Automobile and General Liability Insurance providing coverage for all
of its employees and others acting on its behalf working in connection with
performing the Services. The amounts of such insurance coverage shall not be
less than $1,000,000/Occurrence, Bodily Injury, Property Damage —
Automobile, $1,000,000/Occurrence, Bodily Injury, Property Damage - General
Liability.
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(c) Professional Liability Insurance
Consultant shall obtain and maintain during the Term of this Agreement and as
extended, professional liability insurance (Errors and Omissions) with a minimum
of $10,000,000 of liability coverage per claim. Any deductible is the sole
responsibility of Consultant. Consultant shall provide 30 days advance written
notice to ERFC of any cancellation of or changes in coverage or deductible.
Consultant represents and warrants that coverage under the policy is applicable to
claims brought by ERFC.
(d) Upon request, Consultant will allow for inspection of its most recent audited
financial statements to ERFC, together with a certified statement disclosing any
material subsequent events occurring after the date of the statements.
ARTICLE 6 – NOTICES
6.1 Any notice which ERFC may desire or is required at any time to give or serve Consultant
may be delivered personally, or be sent by express delivery or United States mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to:
[__________________]
or at such other address as shall have been last furnished in writing by Consultant to
ERFC.
Any notice which Consultant may desire or is required at any time to give or serve upon
ERFC may be delivered personally, or be sent by express delivery or United States mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to:
The Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of
Fairfax County
Attention: Eli Martinez
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 300
Springfield, VA 22151-2205
or at such other address as shall have been last furnished in writing by ERFC to
Consultant.
Such personal delivery, express delivery or mailing in such manner shall constitute a
good, sufficient and lawful notice and service thereof in all such cases. Notice and
service shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt.
ARTICLE 7 – LEGAL COMPLIANCE
7.1 Consultant agrees that it is a fiduciary to ERFC and will perform all of its duties under
this Agreement in accordance with the same fiduciary standards as are applied to
members of ERFC’s Board.
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7.2 Consultant agrees that it will perform Services subject to and in furtherance of ERFC’s
operative investment policies and procedures, as amended from time to time, including
but not limited to ERFC’s Statement of Investment Policy.
7.3 Consultant agrees to observe and comply with all applicable Fairfax County,
Commonwealth of Virginia and federal laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies
now in effect or hereinafter enacted or issued, each of which are hereby made a part
hereof and incorporated herein by reference.
7.4 Consultant agrees that it is unaware of any financial or economic interest of any public
officer or employee of ERFC relating to this Agreement. It is further understood and
agreed that if such a financial interest does exist at the inception of this Agreement, it
shall constitute “cause” for termination of this Agreement.
7.5 Consultant agrees that all of its directors, officers, employees and agents who provide
services with respect to ERFC shall comply with applicable federal, state and ERFC
conflict of interest requirements. Consultant shall immediately notify ERFC in writing of
any violation thereof.
7.6 Consultant shall not directly or indirectly receive any benefit from recommendations or
advice made to ERFC and shall immediately disclose in writing to ERFC any investment
or economic interest of Consultant, or any of its officers, directors, agents or employees
or affiliates, that may be enhanced by the recommendations Consultant makes to ERFC.
7.7 Consultant agrees to disclose to ERFC any relationship it or any of its officers, directors,
agents or employees have with, or any financial interest they have in, any third party
manager, placement agent, contractor or vendor to ERFC.
7.8 Consultant agrees to disclose to ERFC as soon as possible after the happening of such
event, (a) the existence of any action, including investigations, initiated by any state or
regulatory agency in connection with the conduct of Consultant’s business, (b) the
existence of any material claims by any party arising out of the conduct of Consultant’s
business and (c) any material change of circumstances affecting the conduct of
Consultant’s business.
7.9 The services to be performed by Consultant will be performed in conformance with the
policies, interpretations, rules, practices and procedures made or established by ERFC
and as provided by ERFC to Consultant. Consultant will not have discretionary authority
with respect to the management of the assets. Consultant cannot be relied upon to
discover errors irregularities or illegal acts, including fraud or falsifications that may exist
in the internal administration of ERFC. Therefore, Consultant will not be liable for any
actions taken, or not taken, as directed by or caused by actions of the ERFC, ERFC’s
agents, administrators, or any other person(s) or third parties authorized to provide
directions to Consultant.
Consultant will serve as an Investment Consultant to ERFC, and as such will provide
investment advice with respect to the selection, monitoring, and performance evaluation
of ERFC’s portfolio managers. Consultant hereby certifies that it is registered as an
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Investment Advisor under the Investment Advisor Act of 1940 or is lawfully exempt
from such registration. If so registered, its investment advisory services will be in
compliance with such Act and the regulations enacted thereunder. Nothing herein will in
any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which the ERFC may have under
federal securities laws.
7.10 During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall disclose to ERFC annually, or
sooner as ERFC requests, a report of its internal risk management policies and
procedures, their success or failure, and allow for inspection of the results of any audit of
such policies and procedures conducted by any person or entity.
ARTICLE 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 This Agreement represents the entire understanding of ERFC and Consultant as to those
matters contained herein. No prior oral or written understanding shall be of any force or
effect with respect to those matters covered hereunder. This Agreement may only be
modified by amendment in writing signed by each party.
8.2 This Agreement is binding on the successors and assigns of the parties hereto. This
Agreement is personal to the parties hereto and the Services to be provided are unique.
Neither party may assign, transfer or otherwise substitute its interest in this Agreement or
any of its obligations hereunder except with the parties’ mutual written consent, which
consent may be withheld for any reason whatsoever.
8.3 If any part of this Agreement is declared by a final decision of a court or tribunal of
competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, invalid or beyond the authority of either party to
enter into or carry out, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect, provided that the remainder of
this Agreement can be interpreted to give effect to the intentions of the parties.
8.4 Multiple counterparts of this Agreement may be executed by the parties but together they
shall constitute one agreement. The parties agree that the executed Agreement in the
possession of ERFC shall be the version of the Agreement that shall take precedence
should any differences exist among counterparts of the Agreement.
8.5 Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue.
(a) This Agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into and performed in
Fairfax County, Virginia. All matters relating to this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its
conflict of interest provisions.
(b) In the event of any dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity
thereof, the Parties agree that they shall first attempt to resolve their dispute
through non¬binding mediation, to be conducted in a manner satisfactory to the
parties but to be concluded within 90 days following either party’s delivery of
written notice to the other party of the dispute and a request for mediation. If the
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dispute has not been resolved within 90 days following delivery of such notice, or
as mutually extended in writing by the parties, either party shall be free to initiate
legal action as provided for below.
(c) In the event the dispute has not been resolved timely through non-binding
mediation or otherwise, the parties will each have the right to initiate legal action
in a court of competent jurisdiction venued in the Circuit Court for Fairfax
County, Virginia, or in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Eastern District of
Virginia. The law of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern all substantive
matters.
8.6 A party’s waiver of the performance of any covenant, condition, obligation,
representation, warranty or promise in this agreement shall not invalidate this Agreement
or be deemed a waiver of any other covenant, condition, obligation, representation,
warranty or promise. A party’s waiver of the time for performing any act or condition
hereunder does not constitute a waiver of the act or condition itself.
8.7 There shall be no discrimination against any person or group of persons, on account of
race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, marital status,
disability, or sexual orientation in the performance of this Agreement. Consultant shall
not establish or permit any such practice(s) of discrimination with reference to the
Agreement or the performance of any Services. Consultant’s violation of this section
shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement
8.8 Consultant affirms that it does not have any financial interest or conflict of interest that
would prevent Consultant from providing unbiased, impartial service to ERFC under this
Agreement.
8.9 This Agreement may be modified or amended only in a writing signed by both parties,
specifically referring to this Agreement.
8.10 The provisions of Sections 1.5, 1.6, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 7.9, 8.2, 8.5, 8.6 and
8.11 shall survive termination of this Agreement for whatever reason.
8.11 Consultant’s work is prepared solely for the use and benefit of the ERFC in accordance
with its statutory and regulatory requirements. Consultant recognizes that materials it
delivers to the ERFC may be public records subject to disclosure to third parties,
however, Consultant does not intend to benefit and assumes no duty or liability to any
third parties who receive Consultant’s work in this fashion and may include disclaimer
language on its work product so stating. To the extent that Consultant’s work is not
subject to disclosure under applicable public records laws, and Consultant has
specifically designated the work as “Proprietary,” ERFC agrees that it shall not disclose
Consultant’s Proprietary work product to third parties without Consultant’s prior written
consent; provided, however, that the ERFC may distribute Consultant’s Proprietary work
in its entirety to; (i) its professional service providers who are subject to a duty of
confidentiality and who agree to not use Consultant’s work product for any purpose other
than to provide services to the ERFC, or (ii) any applicable regulatory or governmental
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agency, as required. Consultant acknowledges that this Agreement and all of its exhibits
are public records subject to disclosure under applicable law.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto each herewith subscribe the same in duplicate.
THE EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES’
SUPPLEMENTARY RETIREMENT
SYSTEM OF FAIRFAX COUNTY
Dated: ______________________________
By: _________________________________
Authorized Signatory
Its: __________________________________
[CONSULTANT]
Dated: ______________________________
By: _________________________________
Authorized Signatory
Its: __________________________________
US_ACTIVE-142562868
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF SERVICES
1. Purpose and Scope of Service
Consultant shall provide comprehensive general investment consulting advice and services.
Consultant will report to the Board. Consultant will functionally work closely with the Board
and ERFC’S Executive Director and CIO.
In general, the consultant will assist the Board in the ongoing process of investment policy
development and implementation. Consultant will serve in a fiduciary capacity and will
acknowledge in writing its fiduciary status, without qualification. In all cases, Consultant and its
representatives will offer advice to the board that is solely in the interest of the plan participants
and beneficiaries of ERFC. The services required include, but are not limited to the following:
2. Investments, Investment Policy and Asset Allocation
a) Provide annual asset allocation reviews and recommendations, including annual reports
of general economic conditions and forecasts of capital markets, interest rates, inflation,
and risk and returns for all asset classes.
b) Develop an appropriate investment management structure for ERFC and each asset class
that considers the role of active versus passive strategies and investment management
styles under different market conditions.
c) Analyze the investment characteristics of available asset classes and the risk/ return
potential of alternative asset mix policies, and recommend changes where appropriate.
d) Advise on effective risk-based approaches to effective asset allocation (e.g. risk
budgeting or value at risk) and further advise on how best to transition to a risk-based
asset allocation approach for the Fund over time.
e) Provide advice and recommendations on various other investment policy issues
including, but not limited to: cash flow, currency management, derivatives, rebalancing,
use of soft dollars, securities lending, proxy voting, etc.
f) Shepherd, monitor and grow existing private markets portfolio (i.e., investing in private
equity and private real estate, as a fiduciary).
3. Investing Manager Search, Selection and Review
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a) Analyze and advise on the capabilities of investment managers, including the analysis of
a firm’s personnel, investment philosophies and processes, internal and risk controls,
risk-adjusted performance and performance relative to benchmarks and peers
b) Conduct, assist and advice in manager searches, selections, watch list placements and
terminations.
c) Assist ERFC staff with negotiating appropriate investment management fees including
monitoring and evaluating manager trading and transaction costs.
d) Assist ERFC in developing a formal manager review process. In conjunction with
ERFC’s Board and staff, periodically review the performance of investment managers
through various methods, including interviews and on-site visits. Have periodic
discussions with managers on investment performance and organizational issues (such as
changes in ownership, staff, new products, etc.).
e) Provide ongoing monitoring and oversight of investment managers and their
organizational risk to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, investment policies
and manager mandates
f) Provide recommendations for retention or replacement of investing managers and
facilitate transition management services as necessary.
4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting
a) Compare the investment performance of the total fund, asset classes and investment
managers to relevant benchmarks and “peer group” samples.
b) Recommend appropriate performance benchmarks for the total fund, each asset class,
portfolio composite and investment manager.
c) Provide regular risk-based reporting with respect to the fund.
d) Provide periodic and ongoing asset and fund performance calculations at the discretion of
the Board and ERFC staff.
5. Client Service and Education
a) Provide research and reports on various investment topics, and provide educational
presentations to the Board or Staff as requested
b) Prepare and present quarterly reports on investment performance, including quarterly
performance analysis by manager, asset class, and total fund, including peer universe
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comparisons at the asset class and total fund levels, and provide quarterly reports on
same.
c) Advice on prospective alternative investment assets, such as hedge funds, overlay
strategies, etc.
d) Coordinate effectively with staff, the actuary and the custodian bank.
e) Respond to inquiries between meetings in an appropriate and prompt manner (i.e., be
available to respond in a timely manner to calls, emails or other communication from
staff and board members).
f) Report any significant changes in the firm’s ownership, organizational structure and
personnel in a timely manner.
g) Assist on special projects as needed, the scope of which shall be approved by both parties
in advance.
h) Provide all other investment advisory- related services as requested.
6. Review, Search and Selection of Other Investment- Related Vendors
a) Provide advice and recommendations on custodial arrangements, (including custodian
review and search services).
b) Assist with evaluation, search and selection involving other investments- related
consultants and vendors as required.
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EXHIBIT B
COMPENSATION
Compensation for services provided in Exhibit A, SCOPE OF SERVICES, shall be in
accordance with the methods and specific amounts described in this Exhibit.
1. Effective [___], 2018, as approved by the Board, ERFC shall pay Consultant for
performance of the Services set forth in Exhibit A an annual basic retainer fee. The
annual basic retainer fee is as follows:
Year 1 $
Year 2 $
Year 3 $
Year 4 $
Year 5 $
2. Following Year 5, if the Agreement is renewed, the annual basic retainer fee will increase
annually, either adjusted for inflation by the percentage increase, if any, of the annual
Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, published by the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“CPI”), or as otherwise negotiated. Inflationary
adjustments will be made based on the publication of the annualized CPI for the quarter
ending March 31.
3. For other services or projects not included in Exhibit A, ERFC and Consultant will
negotiate the fee.
4. Billing and Payment
Consultant shall invoice ERFC on a quarterly basis, in advance, for 1/4th of the above
annual basic retainer fee.