GENERAL NOTICE: Employee Life Insurance Benefits Program

The Illinois State Tollway Authority (ISTHA) has initiated a procurement for an Employee Life Insurance Benefits Program through the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) Master Blanket Purchase Order. The contract, awarded to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, will provide comprehensive life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits for employees and qualified dependents, with options for additional voluntary coverage. The procurement was conducted via an Invitation for Bid process, utilizing CMS Master Contract #P-62662 with Mesirow Insurance Services, Inc. as the insurance broker. The initial contract term spans three years, specifically from 03/01/2025 to 02/29/2028, with potential for renewal. The solicitation was not an open competitive process, but rather a targeted procurement involving multiple bidders, with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company being selected as the most advantageous proposal. The due date for this opportunity is July 31, 2025, and the contract was officially signed and awarded on July 9, 2025.

The procurement includes a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) requirement, with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company partnering with Richards Graphic Communications, Inc. to meet a 4% BEP utilization goal, indicating a commitment to supporting diverse business participation. The total contract award amount is $540,000.00, covering life insurance services for ISTHA employees. While the opportunity was specific to Illinois and primarily focused on DuPage County, it represents a state-level procurement with no apparent restrictions limiting participation to local vendors. Four other bidders were considered during the evaluation process but were ultimately not selected. The contract appears to be a service provision focused on employee benefits, with no noted financial return to the state. No specific infrastructure integration requirements were mentioned in the documentation, suggesting a straightforward insurance service procurement.