Repost RFR 2026 DOI 006 third referee appointee 10. 26. 26

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance is soliciting responses to RFR 2026-DOI-006 to establish a pool of pre-qualified third referees, with questions due November 2, 2026 and responses due December 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Small Business Purchasing Program applies, and SBPP-participating businesses receive award preference if they meet best-value evaluation criteria. This reposting replaces previous bid BD-27-1027-1FED-1FED-133333.

Bidders may respond to one or both service categories: reviewing fire and casualty insurance agent contract cancellations, modifications, or expirations under M.G.L. c. 175, §163, and reviewing disputes over the amount of loss in fire insurance claims under M.G.L. c. 175, §§99-100H. Qualified vendors must be disinterested parties, Massachusetts residents with knowledge of applicable insurance laws, and must maintain professional liability and workers' compensation insurance. Selected bidders may be required to give an oral presentation during evaluation.

The initial contract term is five years, with the option to renew for up to three additional one-year terms, and the estimated start date is January 1, 2027. Fees are set through cost proposals rather than paid by the Division, and payment is governed by M.G.L. c. 175, §§101B-101C. Once selected, vendors are bound by their proposed fee rates for a minimum of twelve months. Cost proposals must remain open for ninety days.

Evaluation criteria include experience as a third referee under applicable Massachusetts statutes, familiarity with Massachusetts insurance law, firm size and staff qualifications, time commitment, resource sufficiency, quality of written decisions, proposed fee competitiveness, and references. The cost proposal is scored on total estimated budget, hourly rates, varying rate information, and other cost details. Business responses must exclude cost information, and the environmental practices form earns additional evaluation points when bidders substantiate their claims with documentation.

Responses must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS as separate business response and cost proposal packages, each with a cover letter. Required forms include the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, Standard Contract Form, Massachusetts Substitute W-9, Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing, Prompt Pay Discount Form, and a Consultant Contractor Mandatory Submission Form. Facsimile transmission of any response information is grounds for rejection. Notification of apparent successful bidders is estimated for December 18, 2026, and the Division will decide within sixty days of the month a response is received.