RFP# 07-2025-IT011 Program Broker / Administrator for Retiree Supplemental Benefits Program

OFFER

The NCDST solicits offers for services described in this solicitation. All offers and responses received shall be treated as Offers to contract as defined in 9 NCAC 06A.0102(12).

EXECUTION

In compliance with this Request for Proposal (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned offers and agrees to furnish any or all services upon which prices are offered, at the price(s) offered herein, within the time specified herein.

For Completion by Vendor:

Failure to execute/sign offer prior to submittal shall render offer invalid. Late offers are not acceptable.

OFFEROR:

STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:

CITY, STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO

NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING: FAX NUMBER:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: DATE: E-MAIL:

Offer valid for one hundred twenty (120) days from date of offer opening unless otherwise stated here: ____ days

ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER

If any or all parts of this offer are accepted, an authorized representative of The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer shall affix its signature hereto and any subsequent Request for Best and Final Offer, if issued. Acceptance shall create a contract having an order of precedence as follows: Best and Final Offers, if any, special terms and conditions specific to this RFP, Specifications of the RFP, the Department of Information Technology Terms and Conditions, and the agreed portion of the awarded Vendor’s Offer. A copy of this acceptance will be forwarded to the awarded Vendor(s).

FOR PURCHASING AGENCY USE ONLY

Offer accepted and contract awarded this date , as indicated on attached certification, by

_________________________ (Authorized representative of Purchasing of The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer).

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 07-2025-IT011

DEPARTMENT OF STATE TREASURER

RETIREMENT SYSTEMS DIVISION

Contract Name: Program Broker/Administrator for Voluntary Supplemental Benefits Program for North Carolina Retirees and Benefit Recipients

Bid Opening Date: Monday, December 21, 2026, 2:00PM EST

Refer ALL inquiries regarding this RFP through the Message Board in the Ariba Sourcing Tool and/or via the below:

Jessica Herrmann, Procurement and Contracting Director

Jessica.Herrmann@nctreasurer.gov

(919) 814-3913

Issue Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026

Commodity Code: 841300 – Insurance and Retirement Services

Purchasing Agency: The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (NCDST) Retirement Systems Division

(RSD)

Requisition No.: N/A mailto:Jessica.Herrmann@nctreasurer.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

1.1. IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONES

2.0 PURPOSE OF RFP

2.1 INTRODUCTION

2.2 AGENCY BACKGROUND

2.3 SUMMARY OF BUSINESS NEED

2.4 CONTRACT TERM

2.5 EFFECTIVE DATE

2.6 CONTRACT TYPE

3.0 RFP REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

3.2 SECURITY SPECIFICATIONS

3.3 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.4 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3.5 ADDITIONAL DELIVERABLES

3.6 BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEE BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEES

4.0 EVALUATION

4.1 SOURCE SELECTION

4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA

4.3 PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS/ORAL PRESENTATION

4.4 BEST AND FINAL OFFERS (BAFO)

4.5 POSSESSION AND REVIEW

5.0 VENDOR INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

5.1 GENERAL CONDITIONS OF OFFER

6.0 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR VENDOR

6.1 QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE RFP

6.2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFER SUBMISSION

7.0 OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL TERMS

7.1 VENDOR UTILIZATION OF WORKERS OUTSIDE OF U.S

7.2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.3 DISCLOSURE OF LITIGATION

7.4 CRIMINAL CONVICTION

7.5 SECURITY AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

7.6 ASSURANCES

7.7 CONFIDENTIALITY OF OFFERS

7.8 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

7.9 MEETINGS

7.10 NCDST’S AUTHORITY TO CHANGE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS PROGRAM

OFFERINGS

ATTACHMENT A: DEFINITIONS

ATTACHMENT B: DEPT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHMENT C: DESCRIPTION OF OFFEROR

ATTACHMENT D: BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEE FORM

ATTACHMENT E: VENDOR CERTIFICATION FORM

ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR

ATTACHMENT G: REFERENCES

ATTACHMENT H: FINANCIAL REVIEW FORM

November 5, 2026

1.0 ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

The NCDST will make every effort to adhere to the following schedule:

Action Responsibility Date

RFP Issued Agency 11/05/2026

Written Questions Deadline Potential Vendors 11/17/2026

Agency’s Response to Written Questions/

RFP Addendum Issued

Agency 11/24/2026

Offer Opening Deadline (RFP Responses Due to DST) Potential Vendors 12/21/2026

Offer Evaluation Agency 01/27/2027

Selection of Finalists Agency 02/11/2027

Oral Presentations and/or Product Demonstrations by Finalists

Selected Finalist Vendors

02/18/2027

Negotiations with Finalists Agency Designees and selected Finalist Vendors

03/04/2027

Best and Final Offers Deadline from Finalists Selected Finalist Vendors

03/11/2027

Contract Award Agency 03/17/2027

Protest Deadline Responding Vendors 15 days after award

1.1. IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONES

Implementation milestone Date

Detailed implementation plan submitted Within 30 days after Contract effective date

Initial-offering recommendations and confirmed terms submitted for RSD approval

No later than July 15, 2027

RSD approval of initial offerings including any comparable initial arrangement

By August 15, 2027

Benefit materials enrollment platform data exchanges and participant service ready

By September 15, 2027, and before enrollment opens

Enrollment period TBD – typically begins September or October

Coverage and ongoing administration begin January 1, 2028

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2.0 PURPOSE OF RFP

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The Retirement Systems Division (RSD) of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (NCDST) makes a voluntary Supplemental Benefits Program (Program) available to eligible Retirees and other eligible benefit recipients, which include beneficiaries of the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC) and survivor beneficiaries. The current program includes dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and identity protection offerings. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit Offers from qualified Vendors to serve as the Program Broker/Administrator for the Supplemental Benefits Program. The awarded Program Broker/Administrator is expected to administer RSD-approved offerings and, at RSD’s direction, assess Retiree and other eligible benefit Recipient’s needs, conduct carrier and other provider solicitations, and negotiate favorable and customized terms. Award of this broker and administrator contract does not select or approve a carrier, provider, product, policy, benefit, or premium. RSD will decide which offerings to authorize after reviewing the Vendor’s post-award recommendations. State funds are not utilized to pay the premiums for these products. Retirees and eligible benefit Recipients are responsible for 100% of the premium for any product purchased. Retirees and eligible benefit Recipients may authorize the deduction of premiums from their benefit payments or elect Direct Billing for the cost of the premiums.

Vendors must provide an online platform where Retirees and eligible benefit Recipients can select, unselect, and monitor benefits. Additionally, Vendors must be able to send and receive encrypted data files to and from NCDST RSD securely using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). Initial benefit coverage and ongoing Program administration are intended to begin January 1, 2028.

2.2 AGENCY BACKGROUND

The NCDST RSD assists the Board of Trustees with administration of the Retirement Systems for more than one million active and retired public employees and benefit Recipients. The NCDST RSD is responsible for processing payments for beneficiaries of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS), Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS), Consolidated Judicial Retirement System (CJRS), Legislative Retirement System (LRS), the Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers’ Pension Fund (FRSWPF), and the National Guard Pension Fund.

There are approximately 381,000 Retirees and other benefit Recipients of the North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) located throughout the United States who are eligible to participate in the voluntary supplemental insurance program with Retiree ages ranging from their forties to over one hundred years old.

Retirees living outside of the United States are not eligible to participate in the voluntary supplemental insurance program.

The Supplemental Benefits Program includes the following voluntary offerings:

a. Dental Insurance: UnitedHealthcare coverage for preventive, basic and major dental services, with no waiting period for covered services and the ability to use a dentist of the participant’s choice. Prior enrollment totals for 2025 were 147,919 Retirees and eligible dependents for the dental plan.

b. Vision Insurance: Two UnitedHealthcare options; examination and materials coverage, or materials-only coverage. Both options provide in-network and out-of-network benefits. Prior enrollment totals for 2025 were 127,810 Retirees and eligible dependents enrolled for the vision plan.

c. Life Insurance: A new whole life offering from The Standard is scheduled to begin in 2027. It includes a death benefit, long-term care rider benefits, and an initial guaranteed-issue enrollment opportunity subject to eligibility and coverage limits. Recent enrollment totals are not available, as this is a new offering for 2027. Retirees have expressed a high interest in selecting this benefit for the upcoming year.

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d. Identity Theft Protection: Norton LifeLock services include identity and credit monitoring, identity restoration support, and device security. Prior enrollment totals for 2025 were 31,162 Retirees.

Additional background on the existing Supplemental Benefits Program is available in the following documents:

• 2026 Annual Report on Supplemental Insurance: Program overview, 2025 participation, premiums, and annual revenue and claims.

(https://www.myncretirement.gov/documents/files/governance/boarddocs/tserslgers-bot-04-30- 26-pierce-insurance-report/open)

• 2025 Supplemental Benefits Booklet: Benefit offerings and enrollment information for the 2025 plan year (https://docs.pierceins.com/2025-ncrs-new-retiree/docs/NCRS-2025-Ongoing- Book.pdf)

• 2027 Supplemental Benefits Booklet: Benefit offerings and enrollment information for the 2027 plan year, including information about the new whole life offering (https://docs.pierceins.com/pdf/ncrs/NCRS-2027-OE-Benefits-P10-Final.pdf)

These documents describe the program for their respective reporting periods and are provided for background purposes only.

2.3 SUMMARY OF BUSINESS NEED

The NCDST RSD seeks to award this RFP to a Program Broker/Administrator to source, negotiate, implement, and administer a suite of voluntary dental, vision, life insurance, and identity protection benefits for eligible Retirees and other eligible benefit recipients. The program’s strategic objective is to offer high-value, retirement-appropriate products that materially strengthen retirees’ financial security, stability, and everyday experience. Products should provide meaningful and durable protection; clear and accessible plan designs and communications; predictable premiums and benefits; and simple enrollment, billing, and support. Affordability is important, but NCDST will evaluate overall value, product quality, sustainability, clarity, and service rather than lowest price alone. Comparisons with commercial or association offerings may provide context, but the objective is to meet Retiree and other eligible benefit recipient’s needs, not merely to match competing programs.

2.4 CONTRACT TERM

A contract awarded pursuant to this RFP (the “Contract”) shall have an effective date as provided in the Notice of Award. The initial term shall include the implementation period during 2027 plus three (3) calendar years unless terminated earlier by NCDST due to convenience or cause. The NCDST retains the option to renew the Contract for two (2) optional one-year (1 year) renewal terms, at its sole discretion, for a potential five (5) year term. The NCDST shall give the awarded Vendor at least thirty (30) days’ notice with its intent to renew the Contract for each of the optional renewal term years. Initial benefit coverage and is intended to begin January 1, 2028.

2.5 EFFECTIVE DATE

This solicitation, including any Exhibits, or any resulting contract or amendment shall not become effective nor bind the NCDST until the appropriate state Purchasing Agent official has signed the document(s), contract or amendment; the effective award date has been completed on the document(s), by the state purchasing official, and that date has arrived or passed.

https://www.myncretirement.gov/documents/files/governance/boarddocs/tserslgers-bot-04-30-26-pierce-insurance-report/open https://www.myncretirement.gov/documents/files/governance/boarddocs/tserslgers-bot-04-30-26-pierce-insurance-report/open https://www.myncretirement.gov/documents/files/governance/boarddocs/tserslgers-bot-04-30-26-pierce-insurance-report/open https://docs.pierceins.com/pdf/ncrs/NCRS-2027-OE-Benefits-P10-Final.pdf

November 5, 2026

2.6 CONTRACT TYPE

This will be a term contract, and it is the intention of NCDST, RSD to award a single Vendor. The awarded Program Broker/Administrator shall be the sole party authorized under the contract to administer the RSD-sponsored program through RSD’s pension-deduction, data, enrollment, and communication channels.

3.0 RFP REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

3.1.1 REQUIREMENTS

Requirement means, as used herein, a qualification, function, feature, performance, or service that the Vendor awarded the Contract must provide. If the offer cannot meet the requirements, the proposal will not be evaluated.

3.1.2 SPECIFICATIONS

Specification means, as used herein, a detailed description that documents the function and performance of the services provided under this Contract.

The apparent silence of the specifications as to any detail, or the apparent omission of detailed description concerning any point, shall be regarded as meaning that only the best commercial practice is to prevail and that only processes, configurations, materials and workmanship of the first quality may be used. Upon any notice of noncompliance provided by the NCDST, Vendor shall supply proof of compliance with the specifications.

3.2 SECURITY SPECIFICATIONS

3.2.1 SOLUTIONS NOT HOSTED ON STATE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Vendor may be required to receive and securely manage data that is classified as High Risk.

Refer to the North Carolina Statewide Data Classification and Handling policy for more information regarding data classification. The policy is located at the following website:

https://it.nc.gov/document/statewide-data-classification-and-handling-policy .

(a) Vendors shall provide a current independent 3rd party assessment report in accordance with the following subparagraphs (i)-(iii) prior to Contract Award. However, Vendors are requested to provide a current independent third-party assessment report in accordance with subparagraphs (i)-(iii) at the time of offer submission.

(i) Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) certification, SOC 2 Type 2, HITRUST are the preferred assessment reports for any Vendor Solutions which will handle data classified as Medium Risk (Restricted) or High Risk (Highly Restricted).

(ii) A Vendor that cannot provide a preferred independent third-party assessment report as described above may submit an alternative assessment, such as a SOC 2 Type 1 assessment report. The Vendor shall provide an explanation for submitting the alternative assessment report. If awarded this contract, a Vendor who submits an alternative assessment report shall submit one of the preferred assessment reports no later than 365 days of the Effective Date of the contract.

Timely submission of this preferred assessment report shall be a material requirement of the contract.

https://it.nc.gov/document/statewide-data-classification-and-handling-policy

November 5, 2026

(iii) Additional Security Documentation. Prior to Contract Award, the State may in its discretion require the Vendor to provide additional security documentation, including but not limited to vulnerability assessment reports and penetration test reports. The awarded Vendor shall provide additional security documentation upon request by the State during the term of the contract.

For Vendor Completion:

Did Vendor provide a current independent 3rd party assessment report for all Vendor (and/or third party) Systems used under this Contract for the purpose of collecting, storing, processing, transmitting, or exchanging State Restricted Data and in accordance with the above subparagraphs (i)-(ii), including required explanations where appropriate.

YES NO

If “No,” does Vendor agree to provide a current independent third-party assessment report in accordance with the above subparagraphs (i)-(iii) prior to Contract Award?

If no, failure to provide the current independent third-party assessment reports in a timely manner

(upon offer submission or upon request from the State) may be grounds for disqualification of the

Vendor’s offer.

3.2.2 DESIGNATED VENDOR SECURITY CONTACT

For Vendor Completion:

Vendor is to designate a contact to ensure compliance with all associated favorable third-party risk assessment(s) for all Services to be provided under this Contract. Prior to award, NCDST personnel shall contact the Vendor to provide certified evidence of security attestations.

The information obtained shall be reviewed for compliance by the NCDST Information Security Officer prior to Award.

Vendor Contact Name: ______________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________

Telephone No.: ______________________________________________

3.2.3 SECURITY DATA BREACH

For Completion by Vendor:

Has your company experienced a Security Breach, as defined by the NC Identity Theft Protection Act (N.C.G.S. § 75-60 et. seq.) within the last three (3) years with any of its Clients?

YES NO

If yes, please explain the Security Breach, remedy provided by your company, and the overall outcome of the Security Breach:

November 5, 2026

If no, please explain and include any applicable documentation regarding your process for handling a Security Breach:

3.3 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Vendor must attest adherence to the Business and Technical Requirements listed below for Vendor’s proposal to be considered.

Can Vendor adhere to the Business and Technical Requirements listed below in Section 3.3.1?

If no, Vendor’s failure to attest to the Business and Technical Requirements shall be grounds for disqualification of the Vendor’s proposal offer.

3.3.1 REQUIREMENTS

a. Vendor and all personnel performing services under the Contract hold all licenses and authorizations required by law (including but not limited to N.C.G.S. § 58-33-5).

b. Vendor shall arrange and administer RSD-approved voluntary Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft services. Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, and Life Insurance shall be obtained from A-Rated insurers.

c. After Contract award, Vendor shall solicit proposals from insurance carriers and other product or service providers to identify suitable Program offerings and negotiate terms for RSD’s approval. Vendor shall conduct these solicitations for the initial offerings and, thereafter, at

RSD’s direction. For each solicitation, Vendor shall:

i. develop specifications for RSD approval;

ii. solicit an appropriate number of qualified carriers or other product providers, ordinarily at least three where practicable;

iii. explain when fewer than three qualified carriers or providers are reasonably available

iv. provide the same specifications and information to each carrier;

v. document carriers contacted, proposals received, and declinations;

vi. negotiate premiums, benefits, eligibility, underwriting, rate guarantees, and administrative terms;

vii. disclose compensation and potential conflicts;

viii. provide a standardized comparison and written recommendation as described in

3.3.1(d); and

ix. obtain RSD’s written approval before placing or implementing coverage.

d. Vendor shall provide a product summary and comparison table for each required product, limited to two pages per product, excluding rate sheets, certificates, and policy forms. Each table must identify: the carrier and financial rating; the Retiree needs addressed; comparison to products available to retirees from other sources, proposed plan features; eligibility; exclusions, waiting periods, graded benefits, or age-based reductions; monthly rates; rate guarantees and renewal provisions; enrollment and claims or service processes; and all Vendor and carrier https://house.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_58/GS_58-33-5.pdf

November 5, 2026 compensation. Vendor must use plain language and clearly identify any premium or benefit feature that may change with age, coverage duration, or renewal.

e. Before RSD approves an offering, the Vendor shall disclose confirmed participant prices, Vendor Compensation, and Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts. The Vendor shall report actual Vendor Compensation and Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts at least annually, identifying amounts received, retained, paid, credited, or applied and their recipients or beneficiaries.

f. Vendor shall monitor benefits available to retirees from other sources, compare them with offerings under the Supplemental Benefits Program, and review and recommend possible changes or improvements for RSD’s consideration.

g. Vendor must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated brokerage experience providing insurance coverage to public entities.

h. Vendor must have headquarters or a branch office in North Carolina.

i. The Vendor shall complete initial implementation on the schedule as outlined in Section 1.1.

Approved benefits, participant prices, materials, enrollment systems, data exchanges, and participant service shall be ready before the enrollment period. Coverage and ongoing administration shall begin January 1, 2028. The Vendor shall complete configuration, testing, billing and deduction preparation, provider arrangements, and other required work in time to meet those dates.

j. Vendor must provide and manage a website specifically for North Carolina Retiree Supplemental Benefits Program. The Vendor’s website must include at minimum the following functionality:

i. Website must provide all benefit and enrollment information for Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, and any other offerings approved by

RSD.

ii. Ability for Retirees to self-enroll in supplemental Retiree benefits.

iii. Ability for Retirees to manage their profiles and update their contact information.

iv. Must provide the contact information to the Vendor’s customer service office.

v. Must provide the contact information for the specific Vendors providing the supplemental

Retiree benefits.

vi. Website must be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7), except when necessary, updates and/or configurations must take place.

k. Vendor must provide Retiree premium billing as follows:

i. Provide consolidated monthly premium billing, including plan recaps which allow the NCDST RSD to submit one check for all Retiree voluntary insurance elected (dental, vision, life & identification theft).

ii. Provide a Direct Bill service to those Retirees that are not eligible to have their elections deducted from their pension/disability checks.

iii. Vendor will provide a monthly list to the NCDST RSD to identify and reconcile erroneous deductions and information. Additionally, Vendor shall work with the NCDST RSD to correct personal information, address insufficient funds, coverage suspension, terminations and dates of death on this list and return to Vendor between the tenth (10th) and thirteenth (13th) day of the month. The NCDST will process the information, and provide it back to the Vendor via SFTP on the twenty-second (22nd) day of each month.

l. Vendor must provide extensive customer service to all Retirees for enrollment, ongoing inquiries, questions, concerns, including the items below:

i. Provide a toll-free customer service support line for Retirees.

ii. Provide a call center with available times that are consistent with the Eastern Standard

Time Zone Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except for on holidays observed by the State of North Carolina. A list of North Carolina State Holidays can be found on the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) website:

https://oshr.nc.gov.

iii. Provide live customer support.

https://oshr.nc.gov/

November 5, 2026

iv. Provide bilingual customer support (English & Spanish).

m. Vendor must provide secure infrastructure and systems with the appropriate physical and data controls in place in order to protect Retiree personal and healthcare related data.

n. Vendor must be able to accept a Secure File Transfer Portal (SFTP) to receive confidential

Retiree information on an ongoing basis. Vendor must be able to submit monthly deductions files to the NCDST Secure File Transfer Portal (SFTP) by the thirteenth (13th) of each month.

Additionally, Vendor must also be able to retrieve the Retiree files from the NCDST on or after the twenty-second (22nd) of each month. These files are fixed length text format change files.

o. Vendor must send yearly communications to Retirees and upcoming Retirees’ regarding Open Enrollment.

p. Vendor must be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

q. Vendor shall prepare and mail (with approval of the NCDST RSD) Open Enrollment material annually.

r. Vendor shall prepare and mail (with the approval of the NCDST RSD) ongoing enrollment material to new Retirees.

s. Vendor must educate, inform, and answer questions as asked by Retirees regarding the plans, benefits and products.

t. Vendor must ensure continuing compliance with the I.R.C. (Internal Revenue Code) and

Department of Labor regulations, including, but not limited to, reviewing benefit election forms, plan documents, summary plan descriptions, plan changes and amendments, Form 5500 (if applicable) and any other governmental requirements. Additionally, maintain all plan documents in a fashion conducive to providing verification of plan compliance.

u. Vendor must disburse required premiums to insurance carriers within five (5) business days after receipt of funds.

v. Vendor must act as plan liaison for plan operations to handle the resolution of Retiree, participant, and administrative problems as they arise. Additionally, Vendor must handle all status changes, life claims, changes in coverage levels, assistance with out-of-network claims/providers and explanation of benefits.

w. Vendor must provide all Retiree participants with information, forms, and communications needed to facilitate plan operation and compliance.

x. Vendor shall pay for an independent review of the Supplements Benefits Program every two years and for reviews of proposed new products when requested by RSD. RSD shall select and manage the consultant and receive its findings directly. At RSD’s request, the consultant shall assess available products, plan designs, providers, fees, and commissions; identify improvements or alternative providers; benchmark commissions; and present recommendations based on participant demographics, industry benchmarks, current benefits, and RSD’s priorities. The Vendor shall provide the information needed for each review and pay the consultant directly. Participant premiums shall not be increased to cover the reviews.

3.4 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Describe in detail how Vendor’s proposed Solution accomplishes each of the requirements above and specifications below. Provide a narrative response, including screenshots as appropriate, detailing how the proposed Solution accomplishes each specification outlined below, including capabilities, features, or limitations. As applicable, describe any configurations or customizations needed to Vendor’s Solution to meet a particular specification. Also provide the information required to respond to the items below.

3.4.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS / BACKGROUND

a. Vendor shall provide how long their organization has been in brokerage services.

b. What makes your organization unique from other organizations that may submit proposals for consideration of the NCDST RSD?

November 5, 2026

c. Does your company currently have any pending litigations against them or are they currently in the process of being acquired or merged with another company?

d. Describe how your organization participates in developing a strategic benefit plan with your Clients.

3.4.2 CLIENT SIZE

a. Describe your target Client size.

b. Describe how many Clients your organization currently has. Typically, how many Clients does each Broker manage?

c. Describe your median Client size. What is your largest Client and your smallest Client?

3.4.3 PROJECT ORGANIZATION

a. Briefly describe your company’s organization, philosophy and management team.

b. Describe the proposed staffing, deployment and organization of personnel to be assigned to this project.

c. Describe the qualifications and experiences of all executives, managerial, legal, and professional personnel to be assigned to this project, including resumes citing experience with similar projects and the responsibilities to be assigned to each person.

3.4.4 ANNUAL ENROLLMENT & WITHDRAWING FROM COVERAGE

a. Describe your organization’s involvement in the annual renewal process. Include the process timeframes, negotiation of rates, and Vendor selection.

3.4.5 CUSTOMER SERVICE & COMMUNICATION

a. Describe your customer service ratings.

b. Describe your company’s preferred method of communication to Retirees. Mail, Voice, Email, etc.

c. Describe the level of service and support provided by your Brokers on a day-to-day basis.

d. Describe your escalation process for Retiree inquiries.

e. Describe your response time on escalated matters.

f. Describe how miscommunications are handled.

g. Describe your call center response time.

h. Describe your company’s contingency plan if the system was to fail.

i. Describe your company’s ability to provide call center services during weekend hours.

j. Describe your capabilities for staffing a call center during peak seasons to handle larger volumes of calls/emails.

k. State the measurable service levels the Vendor commits to provide, the measurement method and reporting frequency, and the process for addressing missed commitments. At a minimum, address call response and abandonment, escalated-issue response and resolution, enrollment processing, billing and reconciliation, and deduction-file timeliness and accuracy. Identify dependencies and exclusions. Accepted service commitments will be incorporated into the Contract. Reporting under Section 3.4.8 shall show performance against those commitments

l. Describe the process of how your organization would assist North Carolina Retirees in selecting a new insurance Vendor. Include how your company’s experience and expertise would benefit the Retirees.

m. Describe the types of payment methods that your company can accept for direct payments.

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3.4.6 CUSTOM WEBSITE

a. Describe how the Vendor will provide and manage a website for the North Carolina

Supplemental Benefits Program that meets the functional requirements in Section 3.3.1 and the security requirements in Section 3.2.

b. Describe your experience with providing and managing a custom website and provide an example

c. Describe how you will ensure the custom website complies with industry accessibility standards. Standards include:

i. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

2.1: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/

ii. Section 508: https://www.section508.gov/

iii. Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®):

https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat

3.4.7 INFORMATION SECURITY

a. Describe how data breaches are handled.

3.4.8 METRICS, REPORTING, AND AUDIT

a. Describe the quarterly metrics available for each required product, including enrollment by tier or coverage amount, new enrollments and terminations, premium reconciliation, service levels, complaints and escalations, and claims or benefit utilization where applicable.

Identify how many eligible retirees decline or do not elect coverage.

b. Describe your internal and external audit process and frequency.

c. Describe your organization’s documentation methods, what are your policies on documentation and record keeping.

3.4.9 EDUCATION AND TRAINING

a. What steps does your organization take to ensure that each Broker is educated on current market trends and legislative developments? How is this information communicated to your Clients?

b. What training resources does your organization provide to assist your Clients in educating and training their benefit staff?

3.4.10 BENEFIT AVAILABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

For each required product, answer questions 1–6 and the applicable product-specific question 7- 10 below. Describe the benefits and terms the Vendor reasonably expects to obtain, based on its experience and available carrier or provider relationships. Identify anticipated limitations and distinguish confirmed information from terms requiring carrier or provider confirmation. Where information is unavailable, explain how and when it would be determined.

1. Carrier and Provider Relationships: For each required product, identify the carriers or other providers with which the Vendor has existing arrangements relevant to the Program. Describe whether access is direct or through an intermediary, any preferred or exclusive relationships, and material limitations on available products or eligibility. Explain how the Vendor would obtain additional carrier or provider access if needed.

2. Persons eligible for coverage: Describe the Vendor’s ability to arrange benefits for Retirees, spouses, and dependent children. Identify any differences in available benefits or eligibility https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2FWCAG21%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstarr.christen%40nc.gov%7C3737b44528934d4e45f508dc3a2fddad%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638449224463390497%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=e02p3b8aB5KB1xe2s6LB3ksZyRtoo09MCHTXDzO5E6Q%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.section508.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstarr.christen%40nc.gov%7C3737b44528934d4e45f508dc3a2fddad%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638449224463398992%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pzgUTV7chyDcngdl6SvQJ3tAIz7RLJvSY02jf8A4SRg%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.itic.org%2Fpolicy%2Faccessibility%2Fvpat&data=05%7C02%7Cstarr.christen%40nc.gov%7C3737b44528934d4e45f508dc3a2fddad%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638449224463405831%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5PxuYxDYvzebQ0oJ4qLv%2BXmBS25YhqJa3ms9L3r8c8c%3D&reserved=0

November 5, 2026 among these groups. Explain whether spouses or dependents may enroll without the Retiree enrolling in the same product.

3. Dependent children: Identify anticipated dependent age limits, including whether coverage can continue until age 26 and precisely when coverage would end. Describe any conditions involving student status, marital status, financial dependency, or residence. Address eligibility for adopted children, stepchildren, and children under legal guardianship.

4. Dependents with disabilities: Describe whether dependent coverage may continue beyond the usual age limit because of a disability. Identify anticipated conditions, including when the disability must have begun, financial-dependency requirements, prior enrollment, and documentation or periodic certification.

5. Enrollment and other restrictions: Identify anticipated minimum and maximum enrollment ages, health questions or evidence-of-insurability requirements, guaranteed-issue opportunities and limits, waiting periods, and material exclusions. Describe initial, annual, late, and qualifying-life-event enrollment opportunities. Identify geographic or residency restrictions and explain whether these provisions differ for Retirees, spouses, or children.

6. Continuation of coverage: Describe anticipated options for continuing coverage after the Retiree’s death, divorce, or a dependent’s loss of eligibility. Address any ability to retain coverage independently, convert to another policy, or continue through Direct Billing, and identify material conditions or limitations.

7. Dental Benefits: Describe how the Vendor would assess the current dental offering, evaluate carrier options, and negotiate suitable benefits, provider access, eligibility, participant prices, and rate guarantees for RSD’s consideration. Address how the Vendor would evaluate dental implant coverage and oral cancer screening, including cost and benefit tradeoffs to eligible participants.

8. Vision Benefits: Describe how the Vendor would assess the current vision offerings, evaluate carriers and provider access, and negotiate suitable benefits, eligibility, participant prices, and rate guarantees for RSD’s consideration. Describe the availability of examination-and-materials and materials-only options. Identify anticipated examination frequency, frame and lens allowances, replacement frequency, contact-lens benefits, and differences between in-network and out-of-network benefits.

9. Life Insurance: Describe how the Vendor would assess and administer the Program’s life insurance offerings, including whole life, and evaluate available alternatives. Address underwriting, guaranteed-issue opportunities, age limits, riders, premium and benefit changes, existing-policy considerations, and material tradeoffs. Describe how policies issued before January 1, 2028 would continue to be serviced if the Program Broker/Administrator or offerings change. Identify required carrier appointments or consents, access to policy records, premium deductions or Direct Billing, claims support, and participant communications. Identify any restrictions and the arrangements the Vendor would seek to maintain continuity. Distinguish recommendations for new sales from the servicing or replacement of existing policies.

10. Identity Theft: Describe how the Vendor would assess the current identity protection service, evaluate provider options, and negotiate suitable features, participant eligibility, service standards, subscription prices, and price guarantees for RSD’s consideration.

3.4.11 OTHER BENEFITS

a. In addition to Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection, describe what products your company can offer for Retirees.

b. Does your company provide any Wellness Incentives or Health Savings Account?

c. Indicate the experience your company has with implementing biometrics, blood testing and

Health Risk Assessments in your Client base.

d. Indicate any experience that your company has with implementing Health Savings Accounts.

November 5, 2026

e. Describe your company’s ability to offer a voluntary group Medicare Advantage plan for Retirees who are not eligible for the State Health Plan. This would be for local government Retirees who are at least age sixty-five (65) and for State Retirees who are at least sixty-five

(65) and were first hired on or after January 1, 2021.

f. Describe your company’s ability to offer a high-deductible voluntary group health insurance plan for Local Retirees under sixty-five (65) and State Retirees under sixty-five (65) first hired after January 1, 2021. This would be the primary coverage but would have to be a fully insured product from a carrier.

3.5 ADDITIONAL DELIVERABLES

The Vendor is responsible for the following, which can be demonstrated via an attachment to the submitted proposal:

a. Provide descriptions about how the Vendor will evaluate needs, develop specifications, approach the market, negotiate improvements to the insurance options, obtain rate guarantees, and present tradeoffs to the Retirement Systems Division.

b. A product-sourcing and negotiation approach of no more than two (2) pages addressing the required product categories

c. One (1) to three (3) examples of comparable assignments and negotiated results, limited to one page per example. Identify the population, products, Vendor’s role, and material results.

Confidential client information may be omitted or described without identifying the client.

d. One redacted prior solicitation and comparison or recommendation, or a clearly labeled representative sample if client materials cannot be shared. Show how the Vendor presents alternatives, material advantages and disadvantages, and its recommendation. An example in paragraph (b) may also satisfy this request. Representative material shall not be presented as an actual past result.

e. A preliminary implementation approach explaining how the Vendor would meet the Section 1.1 milestones for enrollment in 2027 and coverage beginning January 1, 2028, identifying principal phases, approximate timing relative to award, required RSD information and decisions, material dependencies, and a contingency approach.

f.

g. Provide any additional information regarding your organization or services that you feel would be beneficial in helping the NCDST RSD select a Program Broker/Administrator

3.6 BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEE BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEES

No State funds will be used to pay for products elected by participants or to compensate the Vendor for services under this Contract. All such amounts must be funded through payments participants make for elected products or payments from carriers, providers, or other third parties. NCDST’s remittance of participant-authorized pension deductions is a transfer of participant payments, not State-funded compensation.

NCDST and participating employers will not pay the Vendor a fee, reimburse its expenses, guarantee minimum revenue, or pay an enrollment shortfall, transition charge, or termination charge.

Complete ATTACHMENT D: BROKER COMPENSATION AND FEE FORM and separately disclose Vendor Compensation, charges to participants, and Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts. Compensation shared among the Vendor and related parties shall be counted once, with the recipients and payment split identified. Amounts merely remitted to carriers or providers for coverage or services shall not be treated as Vendor Compensation.

November 5, 2026

The proposal shall identify each amount, rate, formula, maximum, or other financial commitment that the Vendor offers as binding at Contract award. Any separate participant charge shall have a binding amount or formula, including any changes during the initial term or optional renewal terms.

The Vendor shall identify any compensation term it can commit to regardless of carrier or provider selection. A fixed fee is not required.

For carrier-dependent terms that cannot reasonably be confirmed before award, the Vendor shall disclose the proposed compensation method, known terms, material conditions, and the information or negotiation needed for confirmation. Identify any estimate as informational. If an amount cannot reasonably be estimated, identify it as unknown and explain when it can be confirmed. An unknown amount shall not be represented as zero. Informational estimates shall not authorize the Vendor to receive or retain compensation.

Before RSD approves an offering, the Vendor shall provide confirmed participant prices, all associated Vendor Compensation, and Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts for RSD’s written approval. Confirmed terms shall comply with binding commitments accepted at Contract award. A change to an accepted contractual commitment requires a written Contract amendment executed by authorized representatives; approval of a carrier or product does not by itself amend the Contract.

The Vendor shall not impose an undisclosed charge or receive or retain compensation under an undisclosed arrangement attributable to the Program. The Vendor shall disclose a proposed new or materially changed compensation arrangement and obtain RSD’s written approval before it takes effect. Changes in dollars resulting solely from enrollment, Premium volume, or another disclosed variable under an approved formula do not require separate approval.

The Vendor shall report actual Vendor Compensation and Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts at least annually, showing amounts received, retained, paid, credited, or applied and their recipients or beneficiaries. Report known contingent compensation even if no payment was earned.

Where a Program-specific share of portfolio-wide compensation cannot be calculated directly, disclose the arrangement and a reasonable allocation method or explain why a reliable allocation is unavailable. Maintain supporting records subject to the Contract’s record-access and retention requirements.

Disclose gross amounts separately. Do not offset Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts against Vendor Compensation or Premiums. Any illustration of net participant cost shall distinguish guaranteed credits from contingent amounts. All required Services remain the Vendor’s responsibility; identify the funding for any separately charged required Service in Attachment D.

4.0 EVALUATION

4.1 SOURCE SELECTION

A trade-off/ranking method of source selection will be utilized in this procurement to allow the State to award this RFP to the Vendor providing the Best Value.

Evaluation Process Explanation: State Agency employees will review all offers. All offers will be initially classified as being responsive or non-responsive. If an offer is found non-responsive, it will not be considered further. All responsive offers will be evaluated based on stated evaluation criteria.

Any references in an answer to another location in the RFP materials or offer shall have specific page numbers and sections stated in the reference.

November 5, 2026

a. To be eligible for consideration, Vendor’s offer must substantially conform to the intent of all specifications. Compliance with the intent of all specifications will be determined by the State.

Offers that do not meet the full intent of all specifications listed in this RFP may be deemed deficient.

b. The evaluation committee may request clarifications, an interview with or presentation from any or all Vendors as allowed by 9 NCAC 06B.0307. However, the State may refuse to accept, in full or partially, the response to a clarification request given by any Vendor. Vendors are cautioned that the evaluators are not required to request clarifications; therefore, all offers should be complete and reflect the most favorable terms.

c. Vendors are advised that the State is not obligated to ask for or accept after the closing date for receipt of offer, data that is essential for a complete and thorough evaluation of the offer.

4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA

Evaluation shall include Best Value to the state, with Proposals evaluated by the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal against the evaluation criteria, and how well the Vendor’s offer compares against other Vendor’s offers. The following Evaluation Criteria are listed in Order of Importance.

1. Vendor’s ability to assess Retiree needs, conduct carrier and provider solicitations, negotiate customized products, and obtain favorable and stable terms – Section 3.3’s brokerage and product-sourcing requirements, Section 3.4.1(d), Sections 3.4.10-3.4.11, and the relevant product-sourcing deliverables in Section 3.5.

2. How well the Vendor’s offer addresses Program administration, participant service, pension deduction, billing, communications, technology, and implementation - Section 3.3’s administrative and technical requirements; Section 3.4.5 – Customer Service and Communication; Section 3.4.6 - Custom Website;

Section 3.4.9 – Education and Training. and the implementation deliverables in Section 3.5.

How well the Vendor’s offer conforms with the specifications in Section 3.4.2 – Client Size, Section 3.4.3 – Project Organization, and Section 3.4.8 – Metrics, Reporting, and Audit.

3. Risks associated with Vendor’s offer, including security, financial capacity, work locations, litigation, and contractual exceptions, as addressed in Sections 3.2, 6.1.3, and 7.1–7.6 and Attachments F. and H., How well the Vendor’s offer conforms with the specifications in Section

3.4.4 – Annual Enrollment & Withdrawing from Coverage.

4. Relevant organization experience and staffing – Section 3.4.1(a)-(b), references - Attachment G.

5. Broker compensation, fees, financial transparency, and proposed Program Credits and Pass-Through Amounts as addressed in Section 3.6 and Attachment D.

4.3 PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS/ORAL PRESENTATION

The State may establish a competitive range based upon evaluations of offers, and request product demonstrations and/or oral presentations from “Finalist Vendor(s)”. Failure to deliver a product demonstration and/or an oral presentation when requested shall disqualify the non-responsive Vendor from further consideration. The State will evaluate product demonstrations and/or oral presentations as part of the Vendor’s respective offers to determine the final rankings. Only finalist Vendors will be requested to demonstrate their services.

Demonstrations may address the enrollment and administration platform, a representative provider comparison and recommendation, and implementation or participant-service scenarios.

November 5, 2026

4.4 BEST AND FINAL OFFERS (BAFO)

The NCDST may establish a competitive range based upon evaluations of offers, and request BAFOs from the Vendor(s) within this range; e.g.