Intent to Award Sole Source Contract to CEM Benchmarking, Inc.

The Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) is pursuing a sole source contract with CEM Benchmarking, Inc. for independent public pension administration benchmarking services. The procurement is specifically focused on obtaining comprehensive performance, cost, and best practice information to support the agency's continuous improvement efforts. Deliverables include a 300-page analytical report, peer-based research papers, web-based peer network access, and participation in an annual conference. The contract requires the vendor to provide benchmarking insights relative to a curated peer group, including performance and activity cost data from at least 15 public pension administrators with over 300,000 active members and annuitants. Key evaluation criteria include the vendor's ability to analyze at least 12 different public pension administration activities and examine factors contributing to cost differences. The contract period will run from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2027, with potential extensions for up to four additional years. Potential offerors must submit capability statements within ten working days of the June 10, 2025 posting, with the final due date set for June 25, 2025.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations mentioned in the documentation. CEM Benchmarking is positioned as the sole source vendor, with the Department of Retirement Systems conducting extensive market research through OMWBE Certified Vendors, state contract databases, and internet searches to confirm no alternative vendors exist. The company is highlighted as the only vendor worldwide providing this specialized service, with over 30 years of experience and a client base of 400 corporate and government clients. The total contract value for the initial two-year term is $128,000, with $63,000 allocated for the first year and $65,000 for the second year. Future contract extensions would likely maintain similar pricing, with annual fee increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. The contract includes comprehensive insurance requirements, data protection provisions, and confidentiality clauses to protect the department's information during the benchmarking process.