Employee Dental Benefits

Los Alamos County is requesting proposals for employee dental benefits administration services covering Administrative Services Only (ASO), claims administration, provider network coverage, and customer service, with proposals due August 14, 2026 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time under RFP26-69. A local-business preference, resident-business preference, and Native American resident-business preferences (with revenue caps up to $6 million) are available under Los Alamos County Code Section 31-261(b) and NMSA 1978 Section 13-1-21; offerors must submit a completed Request for Preference Form to qualify.

The plan currently covers approximately 1,436 enrollees across approximately 700 active employees and their families, effective January 1, 2027 through December 31 plan years. Required in-network provider coverage spans Los Alamos, Espanola, Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho. Offerors must be licensed in New Mexico or willing to obtain licensure, maintain HIPAA and EDI compliance, provide quarterly claims reporting with online access, designate customer service representatives, and agree to County audits without additional fees. A Business Associate Agreement and general liability coverage of not less than one million dollars are required. The incumbent provider is Delta Dental of New Mexico, providing claims administration under the self-funded program since January 1, 2005.

ASO fees must be quoted on a Per Employee Per Month basis with level rates guaranteed for Years 1 and 2 with no increases; price escalation mechanisms using specified dollar amounts, percentages, or indices such as Consumer Price Index or Producer Price Index may be proposed for Years 3–7, with rate caps or guarantees receiving additional evaluation points. Cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contracts and commissions are prohibited. The contract term contemplates up to seven years, with 120-day advance notice of renewal rates required and County termination rights with 30-day notice and no penalties. Offerors must submit proposals through the County's Procurement Portal (Euna Procurement powered by Bonfire) and to Aon Consulting, Inc., which is assisting with solicitation evaluation and implementation. A signed Letter of Transmittal is required by July 18, 2026 at 2 p.m. MDT to access census and claims data. Questions are due July 21, 2026 at 4 p.m. Mountain Time, with responses issued by July 29, 2026. The estimated contract award date is October 28, 2026, following County Council approval for contracts exceeding $300,000.