RFP and Manager Selection Tools features

Back to RFP and Manager Selection Tools products

Software that streamlines the request for proposal process, standardizes manager evaluations, and supports the structured selection of external investment managers.

We ask vendors to mark their product against our feature list. It is not available for all products and in some cases we have derived data from publicly available sources. The list of features follows. Vendors can add a further 10 key features of their own.

Configuration and Customization

Adaptability of the platform to each pension fund’s unique process, branding, and business requirements.

Branded User Interface: White-label the UI, including logos and colors.
Business Rule Engine: Non-technical users can set up workflow or data triggers.
Configurable Data Retention: User control over data life cycles for different artifacts.
Configurable Document Templates: Organization-specific document and contract templates.
Custom Field Definitions: Add organization-specific fields wherever data is captured.
Custom User Roles and Permissions: Define user types and associated access rights beyond system defaults.
Integratable Plugins/Add-ons: Add new functionality or data flows as requirements evolve.
Localized Workflows: Adjust processes for region-, country-, or market-specific requirements.
Multiple Time Zone Support: Seamless operation for global teams.
Notification Customization: Define recipient, frequency, and content of alerts/notifications.

Integration Capabilities

Features enabling smooth connection and interoperability with existing pension fund, analytics, compliance, or document management systems.

Bulk Data Sync: Automated, scheduled synchronization with master data systems.
Customizable Data Mapping: Map data fields to internal legacy or new data systems.
Data Export Tools: Flexible exports to Excel, PDF, XML, and other formats.
Inbound File Ingestion: Auto-capture and parse files/emails from managers.
Integration Monitoring Dashboard: Monitor integration status, latency, and failures.
Open API Access: RESTful APIs with comprehensive documentation for custom integrations.
Pre-built Connectors: Ready-made integration with major analytics, compliance, due diligence, and document management solutions.
SSAE 18/SOC 2 Type II Certified Integrations: Meet stringent data and system integration audit standards.
Single Sign-On (SSO): Integrate with institutional SSO solutions for seamless login.
Webhooks for Real-Time Events: Push data/events to connected systems as they occur.

Manager Database and Onboarding

Features supporting the registration, accreditation, and data management of existing and prospective external investment managers.

Audit Trails: Comprehensive logs of data additions and edits.
Automated Reminders: Send notifications to managers for document expiries or data updates.
Bulk Import/Export: Import or export manager data via spreadsheet or API.
Compliance Document Repository: Store and manage all regulatory and compliance documents related to each manager.
Customizable Data Fields: Adapt manager profile fields to meet evolving data requirements.
Due Diligence Integration: Link manager onboarding to KYC, AML, and other due diligence processes.
Integrated Manager Directory: Centralized database of approved and potential investment managers.
Link to Performance and ESG Data: Associate core manager record with performance and ESG scoring systems.
Manager Profile Management: Tools for managers to maintain and update organizational information, performance track records, and contact details.
Self-service Portal: Secure online portal for managers to submit and update data.

Proposal Evaluation Tools

Advanced tools and automation for organizing, analyzing, and scoring incoming RFP responses.

Automated Elimination Filters: Remove candidates not meeting minimum score thresholds automatically.
Automated Scoring Engine: Rule-based or ML-powered proposal scoring and ranking.
Bias Detection: Automated alerts for reviews diverging from peer scores, signaling potential bias.
Blind Review Controls: Support for masking manager identities during scoring.
Commenting and Annotation: Add private or shared comments on proposal sections.
Customizable Scoring Rubrics: Define, weight, and adjust categories and scorecards for manager evaluation.
Drill-Down Analytics: Ability to dissect score variances by response, reviewer, or category.
Multi-Reviewer Support: Allow multiple reviewers to score independently with aggregation.
Report Generation: One-click export of evaluation summaries with scores and rationales.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Visual matrix to compare responses across candidates.

RFP Creation and Customization

Features facilitating the authoring, editing, and adaptation of RFP documents within the pension fund manager selection context.

Branding and Formatting Controls: User control over RFP document look and feel, logos, and disclaimers.
Bulk Generation: Create and distribute multiple RFPs simultaneously.
Compliance Checks: In-built checks to ensure RFP content adheres to internal and regulatory guidelines.
Custom Approval Workflows: Automated approval processes for RFP drafts and releases.
Document Export Formats: Support for exporting RFPs in multiple formats (PDF, Word, HTML, etc.).
Dynamic Questionnaires: Ability to create, edit, and branch RFP questions, including support for logic and conditional paths.
Multi-language Support: Ability to create RFPs in different languages for global outreach.
Template Library: Pre-defined, customizable RFP templates aligned to common asset classes, mandates, and compliance standards.
Template Sharing: Permissions-based sharing of RFP templates across teams.
Version Control: Tracking of changes and management of RFP document versions.

RFP Distribution and Communication

Capabilities to distribute RFPs securely and manage communication workflows between pension funds and candidate managers.

Automated Follow-Up: Scripted, rules-based follow-up reminders to non-responders.
Bulk Distribution Tools: Send RFPs to multiple selected managers with tracking.
Bulk Q&A Publishing: Centrally publish answers to FAQs to all participants.
Deadline Management: Automated reminders before submission deadlines.
Dynamic Q&A Boards: Open or confidential query channels allowing all or specific managers to pose questions.
Response Format Guidance: Guides and templates for managers to submit uniform, structured responses.
Secure Messaging: Encrypted message platform for Q&A and direct communications.
Sender Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for all outbound RFPs.
Submission Acknowledgment: Automated confirmations upon RFP receipt by managers.
Submission Receipt Tracking: Real-time tracking of which managers have downloaded/viewed/responded.

Reporting and Analytics

Robust reporting, dashboarding, and analytics to monitor RFP process efficiency, decision rationales, and manager landscape intelligence.

Ad Hoc Query Builder: Empower users to generate tailored analytical queries.
Advanced Filtering: Multi-dimensional data filtering (e.g., by asset class, review stage, historical manager performance).
Automated Scheduled Reports: Periodic delivery of reports to users or stakeholders.
Configurable Dashboards: Customizable at-a-glance boards with key process metrics.
Custom KPI Definition: Select or define custom key performance indicators.
Data API for BI Tools: Direct interface to external BI/reporting platforms.
Drill-Down Capabilities: From summary to detailed underlying data with a click.
Exportable Analytics: Easily share reports in Excel, PDF, or image formats.
Historical Trend Analysis: Track manager and process trends over time.
Visualization Tools: Charts, graphs, and heatmaps for comparative and trend analysis.

Security and Privacy

Tools and controls protecting sensitive institutional and manager data throughout the RFP and selection process.

Activity Monitoring and Alerts: Real-time analysis of user behavior to detect anomalies.
Audit Trails and Log Monitoring: Systematic tracking and alerting on sensitive actions and access.
Data Anonymization Options: Redact or mask data to further restrict visibility where required.
Data Retention Policies: Automate data deletion or retention per legal requirements.
End-to-End Encryption: Encryption of data in transit and at rest across the entire platform.
GDPR/Privacy Compliance Tools: Features designed to ensure data privacy regulations are met.
Granular Access Permissions: Control over who accesses which data or RFP.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Support for MFA across all user logins.
Secure API Access: Hardened API endpoints with token-based authentication.
Secure File Storage: Isolated and encrypted storage for all submitted documents.

Support, Service, and Vendor Stability

Operational and vendor features ensuring continuous uptime, responsive support, and long-term viability.

24/7 Support Availability: Round-the-clock access to technical assistance.
Dedicated Account Management: Single point of contact for ongoing relationship and escalations.
Disaster Recovery and Data Backup: Vendor policies on business continuity and regular offsite data backups.
Help Desk Ticketing System: System to submit, track, and resolve support queries.
Incident Response Time: Maximum time for vendor to respond to high-priority incidents.
Product Roadmap Transparency: Visibility into the vendor's future development plans.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Documented targets for uptime, response times, and issue resolution.
Training and Onboarding Programs: Structured programs for initial training and new feature adoption.
Uptime Guarantee: Minimum percentage uptime per year, contractually agreed.
User Community Portal: Online resource for user forums, shared best practices, and troubleshooting.

User Experience and Accessibility

Usability, support, and accessibility tools ensuring ease-of-use for the full range of RFP and manager selection participants.

Accessibility Compliance (WCAG): Full support for screen readers, keyboard navigation, and color contrast.
Bulk User Provisioning: Easily onboard large groups of users.
In-App User Guidance: Tutorials, walkthroughs, and context-aware help.
Intuitive UI/UX: Well-designed, easy-to-navigate interface minimizing training needs.
Mobile Access: Responsive design and/or dedicated apps for mobile management.
Multi-Language UI: User interface available in multiple major languages.
Notifications Center: Centralized location for all user alerts and reminders.
Role-Optimized Views: Tailor dashboards and workflows to each user role.
Self-Service Password Reset: Users can recover access without IT intervention.
Session Timeout Controls: Automatically logs out inactive users for security.

Workflow and Process Management

End-to-end workflow management features to guide all stakeholders through the RFP and manager selection lifecycle.

Audit Logging: Comprehensive logs of every workflow event and handoff.
Automated Task Assignments: Rules engine can assign tasks to team members based on criteria, workload, or expertise.
Collaborative Workspaces: Shared environments for teams and advisors to collaborate on each step.
Configurable Approval Stages: Design organizational workflows with defined approval checkpoints.
Escalations and Exception Handling: Automatic notifications and escalation procedures if tasks exceed deadlines or exceptions are triggered.
Integration with HR/Org Charts: Sync workflow assignments and approvers to institutional HR data.
Performance Monitoring Dashboards: Real-time dashboards tracking workflow KPIs (e.g. average RFP duration).
Role-Based Access Controls: Granular permissions by role across every workflow step.
Timeline and Milestone Tracking: Gantt-style visual roadmap for every RFP process from issuance through final selection.
Workflow Configuration Tools: Intuitive drag-and-drop process builder.

Features in RFP and Manager Selection Tools

for External Manager Relations