Benefits Advisor Services

The vendor required to provide benefit plan advisory firm that can assist with the administration of current employee benefit plans, to include self-funded plans and claims analysis, and guide the district through long term strategic planning for the benefit products and packages available to employees.
- Long-term benefits advisor to:
•    In the first year and ongoing, Aid the district in the evaluation, forecasting and administration of the current district benefits portfolio to include the self-funded plans.
•    In the first year, begin identifying elements of the below work under vision and philosophy and establish a plan to guide and aid in the rollout of the identified process. 
•    Aid the district in procurement processes.
- Vision and philosophy:
•    Craft a comprehensive benefits philosophy
•    Refine our strategy and build a multi-year total rewards road map
•    Educate and help build consensus with leadership and our associations
•    Execute on the vision to:
o    Create a more sustainable, equitable, and comprehensive benefits package
o    Simplify administration of benefits
o    Consolidate vendors to reduce complexity and cost
o    Expand the menu of voluntary benefits to provide employees with greater choice and flexibility—options such as pet insurance, group home and auto insurance, hospital indemnity, cancer coverage, and others 
o    Evaluate and update certain benefits and leave policies and practices to align with best practices to ensure consistency.
- Requirements of proposers
1. Financial and claims analysis for self-funded plans: 
•    Comprehensive financial reporting, renewal projections, and claims utilization analysis with actionable recommendations for cost control and plan performance improvement.
2. Strategic benefits planning and design: 
•    Provide strategic consultation on plan design, cost-containment strategies, employee engagement, and alignment with district goals and budget priorities. 
•    Include benchmarking against comparable public-sector employers and districts.
3. Benefits administration support
•    Offer ongoing technical and operational support to the district’s total rewards and benefits team for plan renewals, open enrollment, vendor coordination, employee communications, and issue resolution throughout the plan year.
4. Regulatory and legal compliance guidance
•    Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and provide timely updates and recommendations for policy or plan changes.
5. Collective bargaining and board and leadership support
•    Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven presentations and reports for meetings with employee associations and unions, the board of education, and senior leadership to support decision-making on benefits programs.
6. Vendor management and procurement assistance
•    Provide expertise in evaluating, negotiating, and managing benefits vendor relationships, including support with carriers, TPAs, and other benefit-related services.
7. Employee communications and education
•    Assist with development and review of employee-facing materials, including open enrollment communications, benefits guides, FAQs, and total rewards messaging to ensure clarity and compliance.
8. Benchmarking and market trends reporting
•    Provide annual benchmarking data and insights on benefit trends in k–12 education and public sector markets, including cost-sharing structures, wellness initiatives, and leave programs.
9. Wellness and behavioral health strategy support
•    Advise on holistic wellness programs, including behavioral health, mental health with our internal EAP team, and population health management strategies to support staff well-being and retention.
10. Responsive account management and service standards
•    Designate a lead consultant and support team with defined service-level expectations for response times, meeting cadence, and deliverable schedules throughout the contract term.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: November 13, 2025