RFP 2026 Active and Retired Employee Dental Benefits

San Bernardino County Human Resources Department is requesting proposals for active and retired employee dental benefits (RFP No. HRD127-HR-6551) with proposals due November 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PDT. A 5% local-vendor preference applies to evaluation. Questions are due October 14, 2026; replies of intent are due the same date.

The County seeks vendors to provide self-insured Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) coverage for active employees and fully-insured Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) coverage for both active and retired employees. Four distinct plan options are being solicited: Active Self-Insured DPPO, Active Fully-Insured DHMO, and Retiree Fully-Insured DPPO (Low and High annual maximum options) and Retiree Fully-Insured DHMO. Current enrollment is approximately 14,500 active employees and 3,000 retired employees (estimated eligible population of 24,500 active and 16,000 retirees). Vendors must propose pricing for either a five-year term (July 24, 2027–July 16, 2032 for actives; January 1, 2028–December 31, 2032 for retirees) or a three-year initial term with option to extend one additional two-year period. Rate guarantees must cover a minimum of 36 months from contract commencement. Benefit designs include detailed copay and coinsurance schedules across preventive, restorative, endodontic, periodontic, prosthodontic, oral surgery, and orthodontic services. Performance guarantees of at least 2% of premium at risk annually are required across eleven categories: account management, eligibility processing, claims turnaround, claims accuracy, customer service, contract renewal notification, quality management, customer satisfaction, network stability, group reporting, and ID card distribution.

Vendors must submit all proposals electronically through the County's ePro system using provided Excel workbook exhibits without altering pre-labeled rows. Compliance with HIPAA, Business Associate Agreements, Spanish-language communication, dedicated account management, and 24-hour service response are mandatory. All proposals must include separate pricing for the five-year and three-year options. Tentative interviews are scheduled for January 14, 2027, with a tentative award date of February 11, 2027.