Group Benefits Consultant

The City of Albuquerque is seeking a Group Benefits Consultant through Request for Proposal RFP-2025-668-HRM-CG to provide comprehensive actuarial and consulting services for its employee benefits programs. The procurement covers consulting services for multiple benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, prescription, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability, employee assistance, and wellness programs. The city requires a consultant with at least 10 years of experience, a group actuary on staff, and expertise in public sector benefits consulting. Proposals are due by August 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time, with an anticipated contract start date of January 1, 2026. The consulting services will support approximately 6,500 benefits-eligible employees and 15 intergovernmental agencies, totaling around 16,500 covered lives. Key deliverables include recommendations on plan design, premium level determinations, budget projections, legislative tracking, vendor management, performance evaluations, and comprehensive reporting. Evaluation criteria will focus on the offeror's project approach, experience, organizational capabilities, and ability to provide objective recommendations.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current benefits consultant is McGriff (recently acquired by Marsh and McLennan), who has worked with the city for over five years. The city currently utilizes Innovu for health data analytics and maintains a comprehensive wellness program with onsite and mobile health clinics. The maximum annual cost for consulting services is set at $500,000, exclusive of New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax, with the contract structured as an initial one-year term potentially extendable for four additional one-year periods. The city emphasizes that consultants cannot receive income directly or indirectly from insurers, administrators, or other service providers related to the recommended program. The procurement seeks a consultant capable of providing "world class consulting services" with a focus on stabilizing employee benefits awareness, education, and cost efficiency. Respondents must demonstrate a commitment to objectivity, provide performance guarantees, and understand that all reports, documents, and data created will remain the city's property.