Health Advocacy Services

The City of Tempe is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Health Advocacy Services targeting a comprehensive program for municipal employees and their dependents. The procurement seeks a qualified firm to provide member advocacy services including claims advocacy, medical bill review, cost transparency tools, claims appeals, network provider assistance, and an employee rewards program. The current service population comprises 1,497 insured employees and 1,845 dependents, totaling 3,342 individuals. Key deadlines include December 18, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. for inquiry submissions and January 5, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. for proposal submissions through the City's Bonfire procurement portal. The anticipated contract will commence March 1, 2026, and continue through June 30, 2027, representing approximately 15 months. Evaluation criteria are structured with weighted points across six categories: firm qualifications (20 points), cost (25 points), program variety and customer service (25 points), security and privacy standards (20 points), overall RFP response quality (10 points), and potential interview performance (300 points). Proposals will be scored on a 0-10 scale with fractional points permitted.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The current provider charges $3.60 per employee per month (PEPM) for the Health Advocate Program, which will serve as a baseline for competitive pricing. Offerors may propose additional optional programs with separate pricing for Years 1 & 2, Years 3 & 4, and Years 5 & 6. The contract is structured as a term contract with indefinite quantity, allowing potential price adjustments after 24 months with 30 days advance written notice. The City reserves contract extension rights, including the ability to renew for up to four additional years in two-year increments, contingent upon demonstrated cost or supply advantages. Payment terms are established at 30 days following receipt and approval of itemized monthly statements. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the per-employee pricing model and current service population suggest a potential annual contract value in the range of $144,000 to $180,000, depending on final negotiated rates and program inclusions.