GIC_PND_1503 NOI_Consultant_LifeInsurance.doc

NOTICE TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

March 30, 2015 Invitation is hereby given for responses to provide consulting services to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC). The GIC seeks a consultant to provide project management, actuarial analysis, and technical assistance as it (1) develops a Request for Response (RFR) for a Life Insurance Carrier to provide services to approximately 161,000 members of the GIC’s life insurance plans.

In general, respondents must have substantial experience in the design, procurement, and implementation of large-scale life insurance plans, including financial and operational analyses and assessments, as well as substantial experience working with large employers on comparable projects.

The GIC is a quasi-independent public agency, providing benefits to approximately 435,000 active employees, retirees, survivors and dependents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and certain other Massachusetts public sector entities. The GIC is responsible for negotiating, contracting, and administering basic and optional life insurance for a subset of this population (state employees and retirees and certain retired municipal teachers). Approximately 100,000 employees, retirees, and retired municipal teachers are covered under the basic life insurance coverage, while 61,000 employees and retirees are enrolled in both basic and optional life insurance. GIC costs for the basic life insurance provided under this contract are estimated to be $50 million for the fiscal year. The optional life insurance program is an enrollee pay all program and is not supported by state appropriated funds. Both programs are incorporated in a single contract. That contract ends on June 30, 2016.

The full text of the GIC’s request for responses (RFR) may be obtained via the Internet on or about April 1, 2015, using the Commonwealth’s Procurement Access and Solicitation System (COMMBUYS). COMMBUYS is located at https://www.commbuys.com/bso/. The file number for this RFR is GICPND1503. Its title is “Providing Consulting Services to Assist in the Selection of a Life Insurance Carrier.” Questions regarding the use of COMMBUYS should be directed to staff at the COMMBUYS Help Desk, (888)627-8283. Questions regarding this RFR should be directed to John Schorum, Director at the GIC, (617)727-2310 x7030 or via email at john.schorum@state.ma.us.

The RFR will state the schedule and due date for responses, which is tentatively set for April 24, 2015. A bidders’ conference, is not anticipated. Finalist interviews are tentatively scheduled for May 4th and 5th, 2015.

The GIC reserves the right to reject any or all responses or to accept any proposal or portion thereof, if deemed to be in the best interests of the Commonwealth and its covered members. This procurement is covered under the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, which was entered into by the United States and other countries effective January 1, 1996.

Dolores L. Mitchell

Executive Director

Dated: March 27, 2015