Global Custodial Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is soliciting proposals for Global Custodial Services. DFC requires a custodian bank to hold a wide variety of securities globally, as it cannot maintain accounts with financial market infrastructure companies. This opportunity is for a Firm-Fixed Price contract, with proposals due by May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
Purpose and Scope
DFC, the U.S. Government's development finance institution, invests across sectors like energy, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology. It acquires various securities and needs a global custodian to manage these assets. The selected custodian will provide services including:
- Global custodial services for diverse securities (debt instruments, equity, stocks, warrants; exchange-traded, OTC, private placement).
- Holding assets and settling securities transactions.
- Working with brokers and clearinghouses.
- Receiving, accepting, and recording assets.
- Transferring funds to the U.S. Treasury.
- Supporting DFC's financial reporting and compliance with tax and regulatory regimes.
- Providing system interfaces for efficient service delivery.
- Maintaining robust internal controls and providing an annual Service Organization Control (SOC) 1, Type 2 report.
DFC's current exposure is approximately $42 billion, with an immediate need for custody of $650 million in priority assets (initially seven securities). Significant portfolio growth is anticipated due to a new $205 billion capital limit. No trustee/trust services are required, but assistance with regulatory/tax filings, proxy voting, profit repatriation, and liaising with DFC brokers is needed.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) based on unit pricing.
- Period of Performance: Anticipated as either a single award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a 5-year ordering period, OR a standalone contract with a 12-month base and four 12-month option periods.
- Place of Performance: The vendor's financial institution.
- NAICS Code: 522320 (Size Standard: $47 Million).
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted, with options for Small Business and HUBZone price evaluation preference.
Submission & Evaluation
- Offer Due Date: Monday, May 6th, 2026, by 5:00 PM (1700) Eastern Time.
- Submission Method: Quotes must be submitted via email to Michael Pasquella (michael.pasquella@dfc.gov).
- Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the most advantageous offeror considering:
- Ability to demonstrate capabilities meeting technical requirements.
- Responses to nine specific questions outlined in Section 11.1 Proposal Requirements (e.g., service structure, emerging market operations, security types, fee structure, client references, account setup time).
- Price, with a pricing schedule requested if dependent on asset value/transaction volume.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact: Michael Pasquella (michael.pasquella@dfc.gov, 12024099203)
- Secondary Contact: Melissa Hergenrader (melissa.hergenrader@dfc.gov, 2029299434)