Opportunity Overview
The University of Southern Mississippi is soliciting proposals for Banking Services under RFP 27-16, Mississippi Smart Number 9280-27-R-IFBD-00013 / RFx 3160008278. The controlling RFP sets the proposal deadline at October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM CDT.
Scope
USM seeks one banking service provider for a comprehensive institutional banking relationship. Required services include depository and account maintenance, funds availability, ACH and EDI processing, online treasury management, wire transfers, Positive Pay, returned-item processing, account reconciliation and analysis, payroll and accounts-payable ACH, student refunds, travel disbursements, Transact Payments support, remote deposit, fraud prevention, cybersecurity, business continuity and disaster recovery, banking advice, and related operational services.
Mandatory Vendor Eligibility
The RFP requires the successful vendor to be designated by the Mississippi State Treasurer as a Qualified State Depository and to remain in good standing throughout the contract term, including applicable public-funds collateralization requirements. USM also requires a full-service staffed branch within ten miles of its campuses in Hattiesburg, Long Beach, and Ocean Springs, or equivalent service capabilities acceptable to the University.
Contract Term and Procurement Schedule
The contemplated contract term is five years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031. The RFP lists written questions due September 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM CST, responses to questions anticipated October 1, proposals due October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM CDT, an anticipated decision around October 15, and negotiations targeted for October 29.
Proposal Requirements
Offerors must respond in the sequence required by the RFP and provide the required institutional and regulatory information, service-team information, comparable client references, transition experience, operating capabilities, online treasury platform information, fraud and cybersecurity controls, business-continuity and disaster-recovery capabilities, transition assistance, and pricing. The Appendix C pricing exhibits form part of the required proposal structure. The RFP does not publish a fixed maximum contract value or guaranteed contract ceiling.
Submission
USM requires one signed original, one signed copy, and one electronic copy for physical submission, or electronic submission through the Mississippi MAGIC portal as permitted by the RFP. Proposals must be received before October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM CDT. This is a procurement rather than a grant, so no applicant match or cost share applies.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 15/100. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. Dr. Miltie / QC Healthcare direct-vendor fit: 0/100. This is an institutional banking procurement, not a healthcare, telehealth, diagnostic, remote-exam, or connected-care acquisition. A direct Dr. Miltie response is not viable on current verified facts because the RFP requires the successful bank to hold and maintain Mississippi Qualified State Depository status.
Atlas Action
Maintain this as the canonical Atlas record for RFP 27-16 / RFx 3160008278 and monitor the official USM and Mississippi procurement sources for addenda, amendments, deadline changes, withdrawal, or award activity. No applicant outreach, CRM pursuit, WorkDrive pursuit folder, Atlas_Email_Queue origin, or Dr. Miltie direct bid is being advanced.
Official Sources
University of Southern Mississippi Current Bids and Sole Source Notices
University of Southern Mississippi RFP 27-16
Mississippi procurement record for RFx 3160008278
Atlas last verified this opportunity on September 19, 2026.