RFP Benefits Broker and Consulting Services

Summit School District (SSD) in Teller County, Colorado, is seeking a Benefits Broker and Consulting Services provider through a Request for Proposal (RFP) released on December 16, 2024, with proposals due on January 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM via the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System portal. The district requires a comprehensive benefits management partner to oversee employee benefit programs for approximately 486 eligible employees, with services spanning strategy and planning, reporting, actuarial and financial analysis, renewal negotiations, compliance support, and ad hoc consulting. Key deliverables include managing medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental insurance plans, with an emphasis on strategic guidance and proactive program management. The RFP outlines a multi-stage selection process, including a timeline for questions, proposal submissions, evaluations, potential interviews, and a contract award expected on January 29, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on vendor qualifications, service capabilities, strategic approach, and the ability to provide value-added consulting, with the understanding that the lowest-priced proposal will not automatically be selected.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current benefits infrastructure includes a UHC Choice Plus network, Optum Rx as the prescription drug vendor, a $120,000 individual stop-loss level with UHC, and Cirrus MD telehealth service. The district is currently using a commission-based broker compensation model but is open to alternative compensation structures. While no incumbent vendor is specifically named, the current broker has been with the district for over ten years. The district has opted out of the Colorado FAMLI program and utilizes electronic benefits communication. Although a precise budget range is not specified, the contract is structured for an initial term from 2025 through 2028, with potential for additional services on a time and expense basis, including eligibility audits, retirement plan consulting, and HR technology reviews. The district currently has 54 active telehealth users and 120 visits year-to-date, suggesting a relatively engaged employee benefits ecosystem.