VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

INSTRUCTIONS:

This document serves as the required Questionnaire as noted on Proposal Checklists on page 4 of the RFP. Provide a response to each of the questions in this attachment. To the extent that you have provided an answer to the question in another area of your Proposal, repeat your answer in the space provided AND provide a reference to the original answer. The space for answers below will expand as necessary. Please be thorough but concise in your response.Individual responses should be limited to two pages. If a response attachment is required, the attachment must be provided in either MS Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF format, unless otherwise specified. See Section 3.7 of the RFP for additional details regarding the evaluation process.

QUESTIONNAIRE SECTIONS:

These are the sections that represent the various areas of the RFP Questionnaire that require specific responses, comments, and explanation.

MAXIMUM Points
Section A - Experience and Qualifications / 25
Section B - Brokerage Services / 15
Section C - Consulting/Technical Services / 30
Section D - Competitive Solicitation Services / 10
TOTAL / 80
SECTION A
Experience and Qualifications(up to 25 points)
  1. Provide a summary of Vendor’s experience providing the requested Services. Include information pertaining to your company’s book of business and number of private and governmental clients.

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  1. Describe any differentiating characteristics or competitive advantages that Vendor has relative to competitors in providing employee benefits and insurance services to clients with similar or related business activities

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  1. Provide letter(s) of recommendation from at least two current client(s) (preferably public sector clients) containing at least the following information:
  2. Name
  3. Address
  4. Approximate group size
  5. History of Contractual Relationship with Vendor
  6. Description of quality of Vendor’s Services as an Insurance Broker
  7. Description of quality of Vendor’s Services as an Insurance Consultant with a Self-Insured Medical Benefits Plan
  8. Description of quality of Vendor’s Services assisting with Competitive Solicitations:
  9. Additional Remarks

Note: Provide letters as Attachments
  1. Provide the names and titles of individuals that will be assigned work on the Citizens account. Include an estimate of each key individual’s time dedicated to Citizens as well as key responsibilities. Include an organizational chart identifying the team and reporting structures.

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  1. How will Vendor’s relationships with major health providers create value for Citizens by anticipating trends, enhancing negotiations around costs, terms, and resolutions as well as help us to build innovative programs for our employees?

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  1. How does Vendor propose to work with Citizens’ teams and other vendors (e.g., benefits providers) to develop detailed project implementation and transition plans?

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SECTION B
BROKERAGE SERVICES (up to 15 points)
  1. Provide the resume(s) of proposed dedicated Vendor personnel that will handle brokerage services for Citizens.

Note: Provide resumes as Attachments
  1. Explain how Vendor proposes to advise and assist Citizens in (i) the placement of insurance products and (ii) negotiating renewal rates and terms and conditions for insurance products.

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  1. Describe how Vendor proposes to review all insurance benefit plan documents to verify accuracy with Citizens contract rates, benefits, eligibility, and coverage definitions.

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  1. Describe how Vendor will ensure that Citizens’ best interests are represented in negotiating health plan benefits, services, performance, quality, terms and conditions, etc.

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  1. Describe how Vendor will ensure proper communications throughout the policy renewal process.

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  1. Explain how Vendor proposes to conduct thorough and applicable market research in preparation for negotiating contracts with providers.

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  1. Explain how Vendor proposes to review rate proposals for accuracy and completeness and provide review information to Citizens.

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  1. Describe what financial benchmarking analysis Vendor will provide to compare renewals to local, regional, national, and demographic trends.

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  1. Describe how Vendor will model employee contribution and enrollment scenarios to project potential annual plan costs.

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  1. Explain how Vendor will assist Citizens (including Citizens’ Legal and Purchasing teams) with the review of plan documents to ensure that plans are reasonably within industry standards.

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  1. Explain how Vendor will manage renewal action plans for providers to ensure timely delivery of renewal pricing and analysis.

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  1. Describe how Vendor will independently calculate renewals to determine the competitiveness of provider offerings.

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SECTION C
CONSULTING/TECHNICAL SERVICES (up to 30 points)
  1. Provide the resume(s) of proposed dedicated Vendor personnel that will handle consulting and technical services for Citizens.

Note: Provide resumes as Attachments
  1. Explain how Vendor proposes to provide general and technical guidance to Citizens regarding employee benefit issues, including (but not limited to) market analysis, industry trends, statute/regulatory interpretation, and cost containment strategies.

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  1. Explain how Vendor proposes to assist in the review of communication materials prepared by the Citizens benefit administrators and other participants for content, compliance, and accuracy.

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  1. Describe how Vendor proposes to assist Citizens by providing information, analysis, and guidance on any and all aspects of Citizens benefit programs in a routine and timely manner.

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  1. Health Plan Comparison/Utilization Analysis – The Vendor is expected to work with Citizens in securing and analyzing financial and claims data from each of the carriers on a quarterly basis, and/or as requested by the Citizens, in order to monitor Citizens benefit plans. Once analyzed, the Vendor is expected to provide a summary explanation of the data emphasizing any important trends, emerging problems, etc. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. Compliance – The Vendor is expected to advise Citizens on any federally mandated compliance testing requirements relevant to Citizens plans and providing guidance, when requested, in developing testing strategies. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. Self-Funded Programs – The Vendor is expected to provide guidance on the annual budgets, allocations of payroll deductions, stop loss purchases, and attachment points for Citizens’ self-funded programs. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. Actuary Report – The Vendor is expected to prepare an annual actuarial review and presentation of the review and materials regarding Citizens’ Self-Funded Health Benefit program. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. The Vendor is expected to assist in the review of all plan documents for accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and appropriateness of items to be included in the plan. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. Wellness/Disease Management Programs – The Vendor is expected to assist Citizens in evaluation, implementation, and measurement of the effectiveness of wellness and disease management programs. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. Litigation – On rare occasions, Citizens may be involved in litigation arising from requests for proposals, contracting, or employee grievances. If such a situation should occur, the Vendor will be expected to assist Citizens in proving necessary materials and to testify if required. How will Vendor meet this expectation?

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  1. How will Vendor provide strategies to support Citizens need to respond to the continuing evolution of employee benefits in support of recruiting and retaining critical talent?

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  1. How will Vendor’s range and depth of experience offer Citizens a holistic approach to employee benefit design combined with strategic advice and brokerage services to minimize risk, optimize benefit structure, and maximize employee engagement?

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  1. What solutions will Vendor bring to Citizens to provide a tailored strategy to meet our business needs?

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  1. How will Vendor advise Citizens on providing benefits that identify and reduce the health risks of our employee population while balancing cost constraints?

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  1. How will Vendor provide Citizens with best practices and benchmarking unique to our size and industry?

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SECTION D
COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION SERVICES (up to 10 points)
  1. Provide the resume(s) of proposed dedicated Vendor personnel that will handle competitive solicitation services for Citizens.

Note: Provide resumes as Attachments
  1. Describe the experience of the proposed personnel that will handle competitive solicitation services in conducting procurements for public sector entities.

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  1. How will Vendor assist with or provide input into the drafting of solicitation statements of purpose, requirements, evaluation scoring criteria, and price sheets, which may include providing feedback, written clarification and proposing modifications?

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  1. How will Vendor provide guidance or input into the drafting of written answers to questions from the vendor community that arise during the solicitation process?

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  1. How will Vendor support Citizens staff by attending solicitation-related meetings (such as internal team meetings, strategy sessions, and public meetings) upon request, reviewing information related to vendor proposals, and providing input/feedback when appropriate in the negotiation of agreementscompetitively procured by Citizens for its Employee Benefits Programs?

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  1. How will Vendor review, analyze, and provide feedback related to solicitation awards for Self-Insured Plans and programs?

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  1. How will Vendor assistin the preparation of agenda documents for Citizens’ Board of Governors meetings, such as analysis/justification in support of competitive solicitation awards?

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RFP No. 16-0018, Employee Benefits Consulting and Brokerage ServicesPage 1 of 7

Attachment E