Medical/Rx

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in Tampa, Florida, is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP 25598-DST) for comprehensive medical benefits and prescription drug services, covering approximately 24,328 eligible employees, with current enrollment of 19,121 participants. The procurement seeks medical benefits, including behavioral health and pharmacy services, for active employees, under-age-65 retirees, Medicare-eligible retirees, and COBRA participants, effective January 1, 2027. HCPS is offering four potential proposal structures: self-funded Administrative Services Only (ASO) and Third-Party Administrator (TPA) options with pharmacy benefits either carved in or carved out. The primary objective is claims cost mitigation, with vendors required to provide detailed plan administration, customer service, and implementation support. The RFP will be evaluated using a 100-point scoring system: 45 points for cost/value, 15 points for plan administration, 20 points for service capabilities, 15 points for network access, and 5 points for related experience and references. Key dates include November 20, 2025, as the last day for technical questions, with proposals due by December 12, 2025, to be submitted through VendorLink.

The solicitation includes specific restrictions on vendor eligibility, particularly for federal funding compliance. Vendors must complete federal certifications, comply with Appendix II to 2 CFR Part 200, and adhere to procurement standards for federally funded purchases. Proposers must be pre-qualified, with minimum requirements including at least five years of pharmacy benefit management experience in Florida, registration with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, and network accessibility of 95% or more. Current insurance provider Aetna will transition from a fully insured model to a self-funded approach in 2026, introducing three new medical plans. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, HCPS encourages diverse business participation and requires vendors to complete vendor registration forms. Though a specific award value is not disclosed, the district historically pays approximately 91% of medical premiums, with Aon Consulting receiving $3.62 per employee per month in medical commissions, capped at $825,000 annually.