GIC Bidders Conference Memo - PBM RFR 2026.pdf

This is a Bidders' Conference Memorandum issued by the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) regarding the procurement of Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) services. The GIC is soliciting responses to administer pharmacy benefits for approximately 305,133 Commercial members and 120,011 Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) members. Prospective bidders may submit responses for Commercial services, EGWP services, or both contracts, with each evaluated independently. The Request for Responses (RFR) will be released on or about July 8, 2026, via COMMBUYS (file number BD-26-1049-GIC00-07GIC-130036). A Virtual Bidders' Conference will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with interested parties instructed to contact Jasmyn Plasencia at Mercer Health & Benefits LLC to request the meeting invitation. Responses are due August 5, 2026, and the contract term commences July 1, 2027.

The Commercial population generates approximately $830.6 million in annual pharmacy gross costs, while the EGWP population generates approximately $736.7 million annually. CVS Health (Caremark) is the current incumbent administering both Commercial and separate EGWP contracts. Prospective bidders must demonstrate substantial experience managing large-scale pharmacy benefit programs, with proven clinical outcomes, robust financial controls, and operational excellence across retail and specialty pharmacy operations. EGWP experience is a mandatory qualification. Vendors must comply with Massachusetts' 2025 PBM law and Division of Insurance licensing requirements. Mercer Health & Benefits LLC is advising the GIC on this procurement, with questions directed to Jannine Dewar at the GIC or Jasmyn Plasencia at Mercer. Prospective bidders should monitor COMMBUYS for the full RFR and amendments by subscribing to commodity codes 80-10-00-00 (Management Advisory Services) and/or 84-13-00-00 (Insurance and Retirement Services).