ESBD_396696_1739810266471_SBA-25-234 Dental PPO Network RFI.pdf

THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Office of Procurement and HUB Program

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI NUMBER: RFI01-SBA-25-234

DENTAL PPO NETWORK

Submittals shall be received by:

2:00 P.M. Central time on March 11, 2025

Email RFI Responses To:

soprocurement@tamus.edu

Subject Line: SBA-25-234 Dental PPO Network Attn: Jeff Zimmermann

Refer Inquiries To:

Jeff Zimmermann, Executive Director Procurement and Business Services | HUB Program

The Texas A&M University System soprocurement@tamus.edu

All submissions shall become the property of the State of Texas upon receipt. Submittal documents may be subject to public review. Refer to Section 1.8 for more information regarding public information.

mailto:Soprocurement@tamus.edu

The Texas A&M University System RFI01 SBA-25-234 Page 2 of 4

SECTION 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose

The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) is requesting responses to this Request for Information (RFI) regarding Dental PPO network. Through this RFI, the A&M System hopes to identify carriers with adequate Dental PPO network coverage in the areas where the A&M System has its member locations.

By submitting a response, each vendor certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, it has provided information that is true and accurate.

No direct award will be made as a result of this RFI. This RFI also does not bind the A&M System to issue any such future RFP, nor to make a purchase of any services.

1.2 About the A&M System

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $7.3 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS, The Texas A&M System educates more than 157,000 students and makes more than 21 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1.5 billion and help drive the state’s economy.

More information about the A&M System and all of its member institutions and agencies can be found at the A&M System About page.

1.3 Current State

The A&M System has a self-insured Dental PPO plan and a fully-insured Dental HMO plan. The A&M System currently contracts with Delta Dental for administration of the self-insured Dental PPO plan and for the fully-insured Dental HMO plan.

Current enrollment in the self-insured dental PPO plan is 28,051 employees/retirees, with 50,820 total covered lives. Current enrollment in the fully-insured Dental HMO plan is 3,802 employees/retirees, with 6,534 total covered lives. Of the 3,802 employees /retirees in the Dental HMO plan, 2,477 are in the Bryan/College Station area (778 three-digit zip code).

Respondents may access the A&M System Office of Benefits Administration website at https://www.tamus.edu/benefits-administration/ to review the details of the dental plans offered by the A&M System.

1.4 Calendar of Events

Release of RFI ....................................................................................... February 17, 2025 Deadline for Submitting Questions ...................................................... February 24, 2025 Deadline for Answering Questions ....................................................... February 28, 2025 Deadline for RFI Submissions ................................................................... March 11, 2025

The A&M System will make every effort to adhere to the above schedule. The schedule, however, is subject to change.

http://www.tamus.edu/about/ https://www.tamus.edu/benefits-administration/

The Texas A&M University System RFI01 SBA-25-234 Page 3 of 4

1.5 Submittal Instructions

The preferred date for submitting responses to the Questionnaire below is March 11, 2025, by 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Any responses received after this date may not be reviewed by the A&M System.

Respondent’s submission saved in PDF format shall be sent via email to the A&M System Office of Procurement and HUB Program on or before the time and date specified above. All responses shall be submitted using the subject line “SBA-25-234 Dental PPO Network” to the following contact person:

Jeff Zimmermann, Executive Director Procurement and Business Services | HUB Program The Texas A&M University System soprocurement@tamus.edu

1.6 Inquiries and Interpretations

All questions concerning this RFI are to be directed, in writing, to Jeff Zimmermann at soprocurement@tamus.edu. Respondent may not contact other individuals at the A&M System to discuss any aspect of this RFI, unless expressly authorized by the A&M System Office of Procurement & HUB Program to do so.

Responses to inquiries which directly affect an interpretation or change to this RFI will be issued in writing by addendum and posted to the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at least two (2) days prior to the Deadline for Receiving Information as stated in the Calendar of Events in Section

1.4 above.

CLICK HERE for the posting to obtain all documents related to this RFI. You may also copy and paste the following link (http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd) into your browser and input Agency Number “710” and select “Posted” for the Status.

1.7 Obligations of Parties

Respondent understands and acknowledges by submitting a response that any and all costs incurred by the Respondent as a result of the Respondent's efforts to participate in this RFI shall be at the sole risk and obligation of the Respondent.

The A&M System will not provide compensation to Respondents for any expenses incurred for response preparation.

1.8 Public Information Act

Respondent acknowledges that A&M System is obligated to strictly comply with the Public Information Act, Chapter 552, Texas Government Code, in responding to any request for public information pertaining to this RFI, as well as any other disclosure of information required by applicable Texas law.

mailto:soprocurement@tamus.edu https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd?page=1&agencyNumber=710 http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

The Texas A&M University System RFI01 SBA-25-234 Page 4 of 4

SECTION 2

QUESTIONNAIRE

Please complete this questionnaire and include it in your response.

1. How long has your organization’s PPO network been operational?

2. Please provide the number of clients and total lives enrolled in your network within the state of Texas and nationally for calendar year 2024.

3. Provide a detailed step-by-step description of how your network is accessed and operates.

4. Does your company own or lease its PPO networks? Provide details.

5. Does your network include tiers of providers? If so, please describe the difference(s) between the tiers and the size of the tiers.

6. What standards do you (or the third party that manages the network) use to determine the adequacy of your provider network? Please include details such as time/distance standards and whether the standards differ for urban and rural.

7. What was the turnover rate of dentists in your network in CYs 2024? Please differentiate between voluntary and involuntary turnover.

8. The Excel file, Network.xlsx, contains one worksheet to be completed for the Dental PPO plan network. You are requested to provide the number of general dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, periodontists, and pediatric dentists for specific groups of zip codes based on your network as of January 1, 2025. You are to separate the count between owned and rented networks.