OCIO Manager RFP Evaluations

A structured, independent process to evaluate OCIO firms for pensions, endowments, and foundations.

Why OCIO evaluations are different

OCIO searches can get complicated quickly.

There are dozens of firms, different service models, and wide variation in how fees and responsibilities are structured.

We help you run an organized, documented evaluation so you can compare options consistently and feel confident in the rationale behind the decision.

Why OCIO evaluations are different

OCIO RFPs are not one-size-fits-all.

The right shortlist depends on your portfolio type, governance structure, and whether the scope includes implementation only, discretionary management, administrative support, or a combination.

Services may also span traditional and alternative asset classes, and the evaluation criteria often needs to reflect that complexity.

What we do

Culpepper RFP helps investment teams and committees run an organized OCIO RFP evaluation process, so you can make a decision with clear documentation and less internal lift.

What to expect

Our role is to manage a structured, documented evaluation process—from identifying appropriate firms to organizing criteria, managing communication, summarizing results, and coordinating finalist presentations.

OCIO specialization

OCIO manager evaluations for pensions, endowments, and foundations can be highly specialized.

Culpepper RFP brings direct experience from inside a large OCIO platform, which helps us understand how firms are structured, how services are packaged, and which questions matter most during evaluation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you’re the person carrying the responsibility for benefits decisions inside the organization, this will feel familiar. Culpepper RFP supports HR and finance leaders, ERISA counsel, and committees—because the pressure and the risk often land on your desk either way.

  • Culpepper RFP focuses on managing the RFP process itself, so you’re not piecing together vendor comparisons, chasing information, and trying to document everything in between your day-to-day responsibilities. You’re still involved in direction and fiduciary decisions, but the heavy lift of gathering, organizing, and evaluating is handled through our documented process.

  • Our services are designed to reduce the time executives and internal teams spend managing details. Expect some upfront coordination and a few check-ins along the way, but the goal is that you’re not carrying weeks of follow-up, tracking, and evaluation work on top of everything else.

  • That’s a real concern.Our services are positioned as an independent third-party evaluation process, which can lower the temperature and keep the focus on documented criteria instead of internal pressure or preference. It won’t erase politics, but it can give you a clear, neutral structure to point back to.

  • No. Our independent evaluation processes support people who are accountable for the outcome, even if the technical details aren’t your daily focus. We can help you evaluate whether going to an RFP is even necessary, which is often what you want when you’re trying to make a smart decision without creating extra work.

  • If you’re thinking, “I’m not sure what level of process we actually need,” you’re not alone. Before you sign up with us we will review your objectives and discuss the most cost and time effective solution.  Our services include fee and service benchmarking, RFI evaluation, and full RFP evaluations—so the approach can match the situation instead of defaulting to the most intensive option.

 
 

“your knowledge of this industry and best practices is impressive. thanks for providing such good guidance. I certainly hope we can work together again.”

— Director of Finance