Employee Benefits Broker/Consultant (Re-Bid)

THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL IS SEEKING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BROKER AND/OR CONSULTANT TO PERFORM THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEGOTIATION, PURCHASE, DESIGN, ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE BENEFITS PROGRAM. THE SUCCESSFUL RESPONDENT MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH LARGE GROUPS ( OVER 2,400 EMPLOYEES AND 1,000 RETIREES) ORGANIZATIONS AND EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER LARGE PUBLIC ENTITIES IS PREFERRED. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO RESPONDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE ALL SERVICES. THIS CONTRACT MAY BE AWARDED "ALL OR NONE" TO THE MOST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE RESPONDENT WHO IS RANKED BEST OVERALL OR MAY BE AWARDED BY SECTION TO MULTIPLE RESPONDENTS AT THE CITY'S DISCRETION. THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOES NOT ESTABLISH AN EXCLUSIVE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND RESPONDENT. THE CITY RESERVES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE RIGHT TO USE OTHERS TO PERFORM WORK AND

SERVICES DESCRIBED, THE RIGHT TO REQUEST PROPOSALS FROM OTHER FIRMS FOR WORK DESCRIBED, AND THE UNRESTRICTED RIGHT TO BID ANY WORK OR SERVICES DESCRIBED. THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED SHALL BE IN COMPLETE ACCORDANCE WITH, WITHOUT LIMITATIONS, THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, THE ATTACHED CITY OF LAKELAND SPECIFICATIONS, ALL CODES AND REQUIREMENTS REFERENCED THEREIN.Background1. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to select qualified Employee Benefits Advisor/Broker/Consultant Services for the City of Lakeland (COL). The City has a self-insured health plan that has a qualified Internal Revenue Code, Section 125, Cafeteria Plan, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Additional employee benefit programs include, but not limited to employee wellness clinic, mental health, dental, vision, supplemental life, dependent life, basic life, voluntary benefits, accidental death and dismemberment, long term disability, and employee assistance program.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Effective date of contract will be June 1, 2024 (or date of actual award) for a period of three years, expiring on May 31, 2027, with the option to extend the Contract for two additional one-year periods, upon mutual agreement of both parties, for a total contract term of five years. Based on the response to this RFP, the Selection Committee will select and/or recommend to the COL a firm to provide to the City the services required under this RFP.3. BACKGROUND: The City of Lakeland currently utilizes Gallagher Benefit Services Inc. for its Employee Benefits Advisor/Broker/Consultant Services. The City is self-insured for Health and Pharmacy and utilizes United Healthcare (UHC) as its Third Party to administer these programs.4. FORM OF GOVERNMENT: The City is governed by a seven-member City Commission. This Commission employs a full- time City Manager to run the day-to-day operations of the entity. The services provided by the City of Lakeland government are extremely diverse, ranging from traditional police, fire, public works, and an extensive parks and recreation system to utility services including electric power generation and supply, treated water, wastewater treatment, storm water, solid waste collection, municipal parking facilities, an airport, convention center and 27-hole golf course.5. BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS: Annual operating budgets are formally adopted by the City Commission. Legally authorized appropriations are prepared based on total expenses by fund and department. Contractual expenses for services by specific value must be authorized by the City Manager or City Commission by affirmative action throughout the year.6. RISK MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: Risk Management administers the City's employee health benefit programs which includes but is not limited to medical and pharmacy, mental health, dental, vision, supplemental life, dependent life, basic life, voluntary benefits, accidental death and dismemberment, long term disability, and employee assistance program. An actuarial review is conducted annually by an independent actuary to analyze the fiscal health fund and determine reserves necessary to meet obligations.Proposals will be reviewed, scored and ranked by a Selection Committee using the evaluation criteria as outlined herein, and may conduct interviews from the top ranked firms. The Selection Committee will make recommendations to the City Commission, which has the sole authority to make the ·final determination to award, revise, or reject a contract with the "selected firm."7. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: The City at its sole discretion, reserves the right to enter into contract negotiations with the #1 ranked, responsive, responsible Consultant. If the City and said Consultant cannot negotiate a successful contract, the City may terminate said negotiations and begin negotiations with the next highest ranked, responsive, responsible Firm.TimelineRFP release:March 11, 2024RFP questions deadline:March 18, 2024, 5:00pmRFP proposal due date:March 22, 2024, 2:00pm