Insurance Benefits Broker

Southwestern University, a private liberal arts institution in Georgetown, Texas, is soliciting proposals from qualified licensed insurance benefits brokers to provide comprehensive consulting and brokerage services through Request for Proposal 26RFP026. The scope of work encompasses group medical insurance with prescription coverage, stop-loss, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, health savings accounts, Employee Assistance Programs, and eligible ancillary benefits for approximately 420 benefits-eligible faculty and staff members. Proposers must demonstrate extensive capabilities in strategic benefits consulting, brokerage and vendor management, compliance and legal support, employee communication and engagement, technology and administration tools, and account management services, with preference for brokers experienced serving higher education institutions and private liberal arts universities of comparable size and complexity. Required qualifications include proper licensing as an insurance broker and submission of at least three current references from similar institutions. The evaluation criteria weight Strategic Consulting & Expertise at 20%, Brokerage & Vendor Management at 15%, Service Team & Account Management at 15%, Technology & Tools at 15%, Compliance & Regulatory Support at 10%, Communication & Employee Engagement at 10%, Fees & Compensation Transparency at 10%, Experience & References at 5%, and Value-Added Benefits at 5%. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Euna Procurement Online Solicitation Platform at https://southwestern.bonfirehub.com/ by May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM CDT, with questions due no later than April 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM CDT. Finalist presentations are anticipated in June 2026, with award decisions and contract implementation to follow.

The RFP documentation does not specify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or restrictions limiting the types of organizations eligible to respond, nor does it reference any incumbent vendors or current contractors. The contract will be governed by Texas law with jurisdiction in Williamson County, Texas or the Austin Division of the Western Federal District of Texas, and the successful respondent must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability of $1 million per occurrence, Professional Liability of $1 million per occurrence, Workers' Compensation of $1 million, and Employers Liability of $1 million per occurrence, with Southwestern University designated as an additional insured. The contract term includes an initial period with potential extensions in twelve-month increments subject to mutual agreement, and the University reserves the right to terminate for convenience with thirty days' written notice or for cause if performance standards are not met. Compensation structures are open to negotiation, with the University requesting detailed disclosure of all compensation sources including commissions, contingency fees, retainers, and vendor bonuses, and expressing willingness to consider fixed-fee arrangements, though specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the available documentation. Respondents' proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 150 days following the submission opening date, and the University reserves the right to reject any or all responses, accept any response deemed most advantageous, or make single or split awards at its sole discretion.