The $74.5 billion Washington State Investment Board has issued an RFQ for real asset and emerging market real estate consultants to advise the board. "We are seeking to add value to each asset class as well as to diversify and those two areas have stood up particularly well in this market," said Search Coordinator John Lynch. The board will pick about five firms for a pool of pre-qualified consultants that can be tapped on a project basis. Responses are due Nov. 14 and the board hopes to have contracts signed by December.
Real assets include agriculture, commodities, infrastructure, natural resources, timber and other related tangible asset investments. The board is looking for consultants with at least three years of experience, specifically in real assets or emerging market real estate.
The WSIB manages investments for 16 pension plans and 19 other public funds. The defined benefit retirement funds are invested through the Retirement Commingled Trust Fund, which had $57 billion as of Sept. 30. It invests 7% in tangible assets and 13% in real estate.
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