Employee Benefits Consulting Services

The vendor required to provide employee benefits consulting services for include:
a. Strategic planning and program management
•    Support agency financial and strategic goals through ongoing market analysis, forecasting, and benchmarking.
•    Provide recommendations on plan design, funding, and contribution strategies.
•    Negotiate renewals and serve as the college’s broker of record with all carriers and vendors.
•    Review and optimize the college’s current and future benefits administration systems and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.
b. Compliance and regulatory guidance
•    Ensure ongoing compliance with the affordable care act (ACA), HIPAA, Cobra, ERISA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
•    Monitor and communicate relevant legislative or regulatory changes.
•    Assist with required plan documentation, summary plan descriptions, and employee communications.
•    Provide compliance training and consultation for college staff as needed.
•    Additional services:
o    Imputed income calculations: create the pre-tax and post-tax imputed income amounts for employees with domestic partners to ensure compliance with regulations.
c. Vendor management and procurement
•    Conduct and assist for benefit plans and related services.
•    Evaluate vendor proposals, negotiate contracts, and audit policies for accuracy and compliance.
•    Collaborate with agency benefits, finance, and legal departments to execute agreements and related documentation.
•    Additional services:
o    Work directly with the college’s procurement department to market agency benefit programs and benefit administration systems, including developing and evaluating, and negotiating with selected vendors.
o    Assist the college’s international student department in reviewing, developing, and negotiating the international student health plan, including development, vendor selection, and contract review.
d. Employee communication and engagement
•    Develop and implement communication strategies and materials to support employee understanding of benefit offerings.
•    Participate in open enrollment activities, employee meetings, and benefit fairs.
•    Provide ongoing communication support, including updates due to plan or regulatory changes.
•    Develop and assist in developing, administering, and evaluating employee benefits needs and satisfaction surveys, including providing recommendations based on survey results.
•    Additional services:
o    Create, print, and mail annual comprehensive total compensation and benefit statements for all eligible employees.
e. Data analytics and reporting
•    Provide regular and ad hoc reporting on plan performance, claims experience, and cost trends.
•    Recommend plan design or contribution changes based on data-driven analysis.
•    Deliver annual reports to college administration including market analysis, compliance review, renewal summary, and compensation disclosure.
•    Additional services:
o    Provide actuarial services for in-depth plan data analysis and evaluation of premium costs versus utilization.
f. Claims and wellness support
•    Serve as liaison between the college and carriers to facilitate claims resolution and billing reconciliation.
•    Collaborate with carriers to identify cost drivers and develop wellness and prevention strategies.
•    Support college wellness initiatives and coordinate related employee engagement events.
g. Local presence and collaboration
•    Maintain accessible representation within the area.
•    Attend onsite meetings with college staff, the benefits committee, and the board of trustees as requested.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: December 15, 2025