Basic Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance Program

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is requesting proposals for Basic Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance program coverage and full administrative services under RFP-2026-004, with proposals due May 28, 2026. This is a three-year initial term award with renewal options, effective January 1, 2027.

Respondents must meet minimum qualifications: financial rating equivalent to A− or higher from AM Best, A3 or higher from Moody's, A− or higher from S&P, or A− or higher from Fitch; good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Insurance; and experience with ten or more clients exceeding 5,000 covered lives in both Life and AD&D coverage, with at least two public-sector clients within the past two years.

The scope encompasses Basic Life Insurance for active employees and eligible retirees; Optional Life Insurance with seven coverage levels (one to seven times annual salary); spouse life insurance from $10,000 to $250,000; and dependent child life insurance. The County currently employs more than 4,000 individuals. Current Basic Life enrollment ranges from approximately 7,122 to 7,634 lives (active employees roughly 4,400–4,700; retirees 2,244–3,044); Optional Life participation ranges from 1,078 to 2,133 lives; Dependent Life coverage ranges from 1,467 to 1,813 lives. Dayforce currently handles benefits enrollment and eligibility management. The awardee must provide claims administration, evidence of insurability processing, beneficiary management, monthly invoicing, and online claim filing and status access. The County requires guaranteed rates for three years with a ±25% re-rate threshold, a 60-day grace period for premium payment, nine-month advance renewal notices, and experience reporting within ten business days.

Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: administrative services and capabilities (20%), plan design and coverage provisions (25%), price proposal (40%), implementation and account management (10%), and experience (5%). Willis Towers Watson Midwest, Inc. serves as Broker of Record. The pre-proposal conference was held May 12, 2026. Questions were due May 15, 2026. The Confidentiality Information Agreement submission deadline was May 19, 2026. Addenda 1–7 issued through May 27, 2026 address procedural clarifications, operational details, and bidder questions. No Targeted Business Enterprise participation requirement applies. Submissions are via the Euna Procurement Portal (Bonfire).