25-0258-RFP Pharmacy Benefit Services

Pinellas County, Florida, has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-0258 for comprehensive Pharmacy Benefit Services to support the Pinellas County Health Program (PCHP) and Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH) programs. The county seeks a pharmacy benefit manager to manage pharmaceutical services for eligible clients, with core responsibilities including network management, prescription monitoring, pharmacy site oversight, benefit eligibility tracking, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The RFP was issued on February 11, 2025, with a question submission deadline of March 5, 2025, and a proposal submission deadline of March 20, 2025, at 3:00 pm. A non-mandatory pre-conference is scheduled for February 19, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. The contract term is 60 months from the award date, with service implementation expected by October 1, 2025. Proposal evaluation will be comprehensive, with a total possible score of 1,000 points, assessing qualifications, approach, statement of work, compensation, and minimal exceptions to the RFP. The program targets low-income, uninsured individuals aged 18-64, with approximately 2,953 active PCHP clients and 4,913 HCH clients in 2023, and over 58,000 prescriptions dispensed in the previous fiscal year.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. Proposers are required to complete a detailed pricing workbook with administrative and dispensing fees, network discounts, and rebate rates based on a formulary comparable to the existing PCHP formulary. While no incumbent vendor is directly identified, the county emphasizes cost-saving initiatives such as regular formulary reviews, lowest-price pharmacy utilization, and 340b program implementation. The pricing structure includes administrative fees per paid claim, network discount rates for brand and generic medications (expressed as a percentage off Average Wholesale Price), dispensing fee guarantees, and minimum rebate structures. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the RFP indicates a focus on cost-effectiveness and comprehensive pharmaceutical services for a significant client population. The procurement includes a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement, highlighting the importance of protecting Protected Health Information and ensuring compliance with federal healthcare privacy regulations.