Introduction
Aon is assisting Boulder County in the evaluation of the Vision plan carrier to be offered to its employees. This Request for Proposal (RFP) outlines the requirements that must be met and solicits data that will be used to complete this evaluation. In order for your organization’s proposal to be considered, it is important that you follow the instructions outlined below and respond to this RFP by July 22, 2020.
The information in this request should be considered completely confidential. No portion of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent of Aon. The contents of the material should not be discussed with anyone outside of your organization. Under no circumstances should the client be contacted regarding this proposal and all communication about this solicitation must be in writing. Any breach of this confidentiality clause may result in immediate disqualification of your organization from the selection process.
About Boulder County
Boulder County currently has approximately 2,000 benefit eligible employees (full and part-time salaried) and 400 hourly employees, for a census total of 2,385. The hourly employee count fluctuates throughout the year based upon need. e.g. parks employees in the summer and election workers in the fall. Census and utilization data has been provided as part of this RFP.
The county operates under IRS Section 125 guidelines in the administration of the health benefits package.
The county currently contracts with VSP to provide their Fully Insured Vision plan account, network, and claims administration.
Headquarters for the county are in Boulder, CO 80302. Visit www.bouldercounty.org for general information about the county.
Current Environment
Boulder County currently offers one Fully Insured Vision plan to their eligible employees, currently administered by VSP.
Please note the following features of enrollment in the Boulder County Vision plan:
Active/COBRA Census
CarrierVSP
PlanVision Plan
Total Eligible Enrollment Approximately 2,000
We are asking carriers to match the current plan design option in place offered to members via VSP.
Employee Contributions: As follows:
- Contributions for Full Time EEs: 20% EE paid for each tier.
- Contributions for Part Time EEs: 70.8%, 57.2%, 56.3% and 52.5% by each tier.
Plan Design Changes in Last 3 Years:
- Added KidsCare Program - Kids up to age 18 are allowed 2 covered exams per year and 1 pair of covered glasses per year to accommodate rapidly changing vision
- Added SunCare Program - Allows use of frame and lens benefit toward non-prescription sunglasses in lieu of glasses
- Added Contact Lens Fitting Copay - - Frames fitting is included in $25 materials copay - Reduce contacts fitting copy to $25
Current Rates:
- EE: $5.10
- EE+SP: $10.16
- EE+CH: $10.89
- EE+FAM: $17.38
Objectives of this Request for Proposal
Vendors should consider the following objectives for the Request for Proposal project:
- A focus on cost, credits, and long-term guarantees
- Both self-funded administration and fully-insured premiums are requested
- A focus on innovation - networks, utilization tools, reimbursement strategy, virtual care
- Ability to provide a financially competitive proposal with a minimum 5‑year rate guarantee
- Include an implementation credit of $15,000 with your proposal.
- Offer best-in-class member tools and excellent customer service to members;
- Offer administrative efficiencies for Boulder County Human Resources, network, claims administration, and other teams
Intent to Bid
If you are interested in bidding on this project and would like to receive the supporting plan data (SPDs, claims, enrollment, etc.), please submit and email with the subject line “Intent to Bid on RFP #7159-20 (__Carrier Name __)” to purchasing@bouldercounty.org and cc: nick.price@aon.com. Materials will be sent back to you by Nick Price at Aon.
If you decide not to compete for the business after reviewing the materials, please submit a letter stating the reasons for your decision as soon as possible, but no later than by the final due date.
Vendor Content Inquiries
Vendor inquiries on the content of the RFP are due by 2:00 PM MDT on July 8, 2020. Inquiries should include “#7159-20” in the subject line. Please respond in writing via email to purchasing@bouldercounty.org and cc: nick.price@aon.com. All vendor questions and responses will be assembled into a single document and released to all participating vendors by 5:00 PM MDT on July 14, 2020. Questions should be specific and detailed in order to provide complete responses to all RFP sections. All questions will remain anonymous so that no organization will be identified as asking a particular question.
Proposal Submission
- To be considered a qualified candidate, your response to this RFP must:
- Include a cover letter clearly spelling out deviations from requested services. Please note that plan designs, all benefit provisions, and policy particulars must be replicated to match the plan coverages and procedures. Unless indicated otherwise, your proposal will be interpreted as a duplication of the plan benefits, procedures, and policies as set forth in this RFP;
- Respond clearly and concisely to all the financial sections of the RFP;
- Comply with all workbook specifications or clearly indicate where and why your proposal deviates;
- Respond clearly and concisely to all questions in the questionnaire section without referring us to preprinted materials as your response;
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- Be received electronically by Boulder County Purchasing & Aon no later than 2:00 PM MDT on July 22, 2020. Bids must be submitted via secure email link to purchasing@bouldercounty.org and cc: nick.price@aon.com. See below for email submission size limits. The subject line of your submission should read “RFP#7159-20 Bid Submission by ___(Carrier Name)___”.