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SOQ-23-035 To Provide Benefits Consulting Services for Human Resources
Louisiana > Jefferson Parish Government
SOQ: 94650552

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bid Law Requirement Update: Act 406
Vendors will be required to submit certain documentation with SOQ submission, i.e. affidavits, proof of insurance, etc. These requirements will be outlined specifically in the instructions of each SOQ package. Vendors should continue to carefully read and respond accordingly per the requirements of the SOQ packages. These changes are pursuant Louisiana Public Bid Law more specifically, Act 406 of the 2016 Louisiana Legislative Regular Session. For the purposes of this communication, this change applies to Jefferson Parish Government bid solicitations only. For more information, please call Jefferson Parish Purchasing at 504-364-2678.

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PUBLIC NOTICESOQ 23-035
 
Benefits Consulting Services
 
 
The Parish of Jefferson, authorized by Resolution No. 143181 is hereby soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) (General Professional Services Questionnaire) from firms or individuals interested and qualified in providing employee benefits consultant services to include a full range of services related to design, implementation, maintenance, communication, and improvement of the Jefferson Parish Employee/Retiree Benefits Program. Jefferson Parish Government consists of approximately thirty departments providing services for the citizens of Jefferson Parish.  Services provided include, but are not limited, to water, sewage, drainage, streets, fire and supporting departments.  Included in the employee benefits plans are employees of the 24th Judicial District Court, Juvenile Court, First and Second Parish Courts, the District Attorney’s Office, the Coroner’s Office, the Justices of the Peace, and the Constables Offices. There are approximately 3,000 benefits eligible employees and approximately 1,100 medically covered retirees.
 
The proposer will provide benefits consulting services for employee and retiree benefits, including conducting analysis necessary to review and advise Jefferson Parish in the selection of health and welfare benefits plans for Jefferson Parish beginning January 1, 2024.
 
Deadline for Submissions: 3:30 p.m., December 14, 2023
 
Minimum QualificationsIn order to be considered the proposer must meet the following requirements and these qualifications  cannot be delegated to another entity.  Failure to meet any of these requirements at the time of the submission deadline will result in the disqualification of a proposal:
 
Proposer (firm or members of the firm) must be a licensed insurance producer in Louisiana. 
Proposer must have at least ten (10) years of experience in providing benefits consulting for fully-insured and self-funded large groups (2,000+) of employees.
Proposer must have at least five (5) years of experience in providing benefit consulting experience with government agencies. 
Evaluation Criteria

Proposed Annual Consulting Fee – 25 Points Maximum
Demonstrated professional experience providing benefits consulting services to fully-insured and self-funded large groups (2,000+) of employees – 20 Points Maximum
Demonstrated experience providing benefits consulting services to government agencies – 20 Points Maximum
Location of the principal office where work will be performed, with preference given to firms with offices located in Jefferson Parish – 5 Points Maximum
The capacity to provide benefit consulting services for fully-insured and/or self-funded insurance plans, as well as the ability to provide an experienced designated point of contact or service team for Jefferson Parish- 15 Points Maximum
Information demonstrating the respondents understanding of the nature and scope of services required for this SOQ - 15 Points Maximum 
Interested proposers must submit (1) online submission.
 
The firm submitting a Statement of Qualification (General Professional Services Questionnaire) must identify all subcontractors who will assist in providing professional services for the project, in the professional services questionnaire. Each subcontractor shall be required to submit a (General Professional Services Questionnaire) and all documents and information included in the questionnaire. (Refer to Jefferson Parish Code Ordinance, Section 2-928) A copy of the Statement of Qualifications packet can be obtained at www.jeffparishbids.net.  
Submissions will only be accepted electronically via the Parish’s e-Procurement system, Central Bidding. All vendors will be required to register with Central Bidding. Jefferson Parish vendors are able to register for free by visiting www.centralauctionhouse.com.
 
Interested firms and/or individuals must submit electronically through www.jeffparishbids.net  no later than 3:30 p.m. on December 14, 2023
No submittals will be accepted after the deadline.
Disputes/protests relating to the decisions by the evaluation committee or by the Jefferson Parish Council shall be brought before the 24th Judicial District Court.
ADV: The New Orleans Advocate:  November 29, and December 6, 2023

SUBMITTAL INFORMATION
Creator Username: DREAMEY
Submittal Privacy: Response Encryption
Started: 29-Nov-2023 9:18:00 AM CST
Ends: 14-Dec-2023 3:30:00 PM CST ( Expired )
History: 399 Views, 6 Messages
Event Status: Archived event
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Visitors: Visitors/Central Bidding Plan Holders
DOWNLOAD BID DOCUMENTS
SOQ 23-035 Master Copy.pdf (354.1 KB)
General Professional Services Questionnaire 7.18.22.pdf (256.7 KB)
TAGS
Jefferson Parish Government 46Consulting/Administrative Services 12Healthcare, Insurance 4
PUBLIC MESSAGE BOARD
Discuss questions with the owner/creator of this Listing.
amaliaparker on 06-Dec-2023 1:23:50 PM CST
If our firm has any redlines or edits to Attachment D or E, how are we to propose these changes prior to executing these forms?
DREAMEY on 06-Dec-2023 1:53:46 PM CST
The language is provided in advance, so that the proposer is aware that it will be included in the contractual agreement between the selected vendor and the Parish. Once a vendor has been selected, the contract agreement is drafted and sent to the proposer for review. Any items that needed to be red lined, would be red lined at that point and sent back to us. The red lined document would be sent to the Parish Attorney’s office for review and approval. Once the changes were approved by the Parish Attorney’s office, the contract would be routed to the Parish Council for approval.
amaliaparker on 06-Dec-2023 2:27:01 PM CST
Thank you for clarifying the appropriate timing to propose redlines for these agreements. To confirm, we do not need to execute Attachment D or E as part of our proposal response, correct? This will come later if awarded the contract? Thank you!
DREAMEY on 06-Dec-2023 2:59:52 PM CST
That is correct.
Segal on 06-Dec-2023 3:14:10 PM CST
1. Who is the current benefits consultant? 2. What is the anticipated duration of the contract term? Is there an initial term, with optional renewal terms? 3. Is there additional detail regarding the statement of work requested? 4. What is the schedule of benefit contract expiration dates? Need to know which benefits will need to be procured during each term of the consulting contract. 5. Does the Parish’s plan year follow the calendar year (January-December), or another 12-month period? 6. Is there an MWBE utilization goal or expectation? If so, please describe. 7. The questionnaire does not include a pricing/cost template. Will pricing/cost be requested at a later date (e.g., following review of the technical questionnaire)? 8. Is there a specific format desired for the pricing/cost – e.g., flat annual retainer fee, hourly rates, etc.?
DREAMEY on 06-Dec-2023 4:12:51 PM CST
1. Who is the current benefits consultant? – Clesi Burns, LLC. 2. What is the anticipated duration of the contract term? Is there an initial term, with optional renewal terms? The initial term is two years with the option to renew. 3. Is there additional detail regarding the statement of work requested? No. General nature of work required is listed under Professional Services Scope in the SOQ. 4. What is the schedule of benefit contract expiration dates? Need to know which benefits will need to be procured during each term of the consulting contract. This is not answerable question. Prior to expiration, benefits contracts can be put out for SOQ or renewed, as determined by the Benefits Administrator and the Insurance Advisory & Coordinating Committee. The Parish offers a variety of health and welfare plans for employees and retirees, such as medical, dental vision, FSA, life, supplemental benefits and a 457b deferred compensation plan. The consultant is expected to consult on all benefits contracts every year, through out the year, as needed, regardless of whether the contract is put out for SOQ or renewed. The consultant negotiates with the carrier for annual renewal rate increases, reviews MLR’s and large claims data, would request alternative options and provides data, opinions, and recommendations to the Benefits Administrator. The consultant would need to be present at the Insurance Advisory & Coordinating committee meetings to provide insight and answer questions for the committee members, as needed. Additionally, the benefits consultant provides support to the Benefits Administrator, as requested, for complex coverage, billing, and claims issues. 5. Does the Parish’s plan year follow the calendar year (January-December), or another 12-month period? Calendar Year 6. Is there an MWBE utilization goal or expectation? If so, please describe. No 7. The questionnaire does not include a pricing/cost template. Will pricing/cost be requested at a later date (e.g., following review of the technical questionnaire)? There is no pricing or cost template for this contract. As noted in the SOQ, this contract is a fee-based professional services agreement. The fee should be quoted on a per annum basis. 8. Is there a specific format desired for the pricing/cost – e.g., flat annual retainer fee, hourly rates, etc.? Annual fee
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