RFP No. 26-0031 Consulting Services for Employee Benefits Plans (Annual Contract)

Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting proposals for comprehensive consulting and brokerage services for its employee health benefits programs and Health & Wellness Center strategy under RFP No. 26-0031, with proposals due June 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No set-aside or preference program applies.

The scope encompasses strategic planning and annual benefits roadmap development, plan design and management for self-funded and fully insured health plans, Medicare supplement plans, prescription drug plans, flexible spending accounts, Employee Assistance Program services, life insurance, long-term disability protection, COBRA and HIPAA administration, voluntary benefits (dental, vision, long-term care, legal services), wellness and disease management programs, medical stop-loss coverage, monthly billing audits, claims analysis, regulatory compliance support, open enrollment coordination, and detailed reporting and analytics. The selected firm will negotiate with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers. Vendors must demonstrate experience with public sector benefits programs, self-funded health plans, and claims analysis capabilities.

The initial contract term is two years with the option to renew for three additional twelve-month periods, contingent on mutual agreement and funding appropriation by Columbus Council. Pricing shall remain fixed for the initial one-year term; any subsequent price escalation requests may not exceed 5% and are subject to approval based on budget constraints. The contractor will be compensated through a combination of flat fees, hourly rates, commissions, or fee-for-service arrangements. All compensation sources, including vendor commissions and potential conflicts of interest, must be disclosed with full transparency.

Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: Qualifications and Experience (45%), Service Plan (35%), Client Work History (15%), and Cost Proposal (5%). Vendors must comply with E-Verify, maintain insurance coverage with Columbus Consolidated Government named as an additional insured with minimum limits of $1 million, and provide a notarized E-Verify Affidavit, W-9 form, and current business license. Written questions must be submitted at least five business days prior to the proposal due date. Proposals must remain valid for at least 180 days from submission. Payment terms are net 30 days.