31786-00188_Digital_Submission_Instructions.pdf

This digital submission instructions file pertains to RFP #31786-00188, issued by the State of Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) services covering state, local education, and local government insurance plans serving approximately 300,000 covered lives. The procurement seeks comprehensive network administration, utilization management, claims adjudication, call center services, and benefits communication across three financially independent self-funded public sector plans. The RFP was issued October 8, 2025, with written questions due October 22 and November 19, 2025, and a response deadline of December 19, 2025. Technical evaluations are anticipated to be completed by January 29, 2026, with cost proposal scoring on January 30, 2026, and negotiations scheduled for February 9-11, 2026. The contract will span 86 months total, comprising eight months of implementation, 60 months of service delivery from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031, and an 18-month claims runout period.

Respondents must submit responses via a designated Box file sharing link (https://app.box.com/f/a2394d6695e747b89c4bd95ce8fc236e) and comply with all file naming, format, and scheduling requirements outlined in RFP #31786-00188. The contract utilizes a per-employee-per-month (PEPM) administrative fee model. Contractors must maintain NCQA accreditation as a Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization and URAC accreditation for utilization management programs, with performance guarantees and liquidated damages ranging from $1,000 to $75,000 per incident. The state demonstrates commitment to diverse vendor participation, including minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Vendors must demonstrate financial stability and relevant experience managing large employer populations exceeding 10,000 members with claims adjudication experience exceeding $10 million annually for at least two clients. Additional requirements include $5 million in cyber liability insurance, HIPAA and HITECH compliance, annual SOC 2 Type 2 examinations, and penetration testing. The incumbent contractor will manage transition of existing members and services at no additional cost to the state.