PUR_7776 - Americorps Insurance.pdf

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 1 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED

SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE

(PUR 7776)

AGENCY: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

TITLE: AmeriCorp member insurance coverage Short description of the commodity or service desired: Health insurance coverage for AmeriCorps members

CONTACT

Name: Kimberly Bowling Address: 3800 Commonwealth Blvd, MS93, Carr Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Telephone: 850-245-2361 Email: Kimberly.Bowling@FloridaDEP.gov

Internal tracking number, if any: 2026SS002 (SS-13669)

Date posted: August 22, 2025 Last day for receipt of information: September 15, 2025

This description of commodities or contractual services intended for purchase from a single source is posted in accordance with Sections 120.57(3) and 287.057(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), and will remain posted for a period of at least 15 business days.

Commodity or Contractual Service Required (commodity or United National Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC), manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate):

64122102 Group Health Insurance Policy

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

11 months

Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate):

Division of Recreation and Parks (Florida Park Service), Natural and Cultural Resources, Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) (AmeriCorps)

Performance and/or Design Requirements (e.g. intended use, function or application, compatibility, requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate):

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) utilizes federal grant funds from AmeriCorps, awarded through Volunteer Florida, to support its Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps program. This 28-year-old program, governed by the federal grant detailed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 94.006 ("AmeriCorps State and National"), involves 65 members who serve 1700-hour full-time terms. These members focus on habitat restoration, trail accessibility improvements, environmental education, volunteer recruitment, and disaster relief.

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 2 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

The FDEP, under its federal grant for the AmeriCorps National Service Program, must provide healthcare coverage to AmeriCorps members.AmeriCorps members, including those in the Florida Conservation Corps, require affordable health insurance that meets the specific requirements of the AmeriCorps program.

This coverage must be for a maximum of 364 days and cannot be renewed or extended. The required minimum benefits include:Physician services for illness or injury, Hospital room and board, Emergency room care, X-ray and laboratory services, Prescription drugs, Limited mental/nervous disorders coverage, Limited substance abuse coverage, an annual deductible of no more than $750.00 per member, a maximum total annual out-of-pocket expense of no more than $4,250.00 per member, a 20% co-pay (or similar fixed fee) for in-network care, with a 50% co-pay for out-of-network care, a maximum benefit of at least $50,000.00 per occurrence or cause.

Intended Single Source:

Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc. (SMIC)

Estimated Dollar Amount:

$254,000

Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate):

As AmeriCorps members are not state employees, they are not eligible for the State of Florida's insurance coverage provided through the Department of Management Services (DMS), based on the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

To address this, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) contracts with Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc. (SMIC) to provide health insurance to Corps Network (TCN) AmeriCorps members. SMIC is the only company authorized by The Corps Network to offer affordable medical coverage that aligns with AmeriCorps provisions and requirements for the Florida Conservation Corps. The Corps Network Health Plan is a health insurance plan specifically designed for AmeriCorps members serving under The Corps Network (TCN) member organizations and it is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and provides Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC).

As an affiliate of TCN, DEP is eligible for a low-cost member health insurance program that fulfills AmeriCorps' requirements. DEP must ensure that the chosen coverage meets all the minimum benefits outlined in the grant to maintain compliance. These specific benefits and associated insurance coverage limits are available only through Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc.

(SMIC) and therefore the only source available to provide comprehensive health insurance for such a varied group of individuals within AmeriCorps programs that meets or exceeds all AmeriCorps minimum benefit requirements. Given this, and Volunteer Florida's acceptance of the program, FDEP is requesting single source approval to utilize The Corps Network's health insurance program. SMIC, Inc. is the designated vendor and is underwritten by Cigna Healthcare;

as FDEP cannot directly purchase this insurance from Cigna Healthcare.

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 3 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

Approved By (names & titles, as appropriate, e.g., requestor, requestor management, information systems, budget, purchasing):

Adriana Betancourt, FLCC Program Coordinator John McKenzie, Assistant Bureau Chief Kimberly Bowling, Purchasing Specialist Supervisor

Prospective vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described. If it is determined in writing by the agency, after reviewing any information received from prospective vendors, that the commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source, the agency shall provide notice of its intended decision to enter a single-source purchase contract in the manner specified in Rule 60A-1.045, Florida Administrative Code, and section 120.57(3), F.S.