#26-1300-01 HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Texarkana is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive five-year health insurance contract covering medical, dental, and pharmacy benefits for its employees and retirees, with the contract set to begin on October 1, 2026. Proposals must be submitted in a strict dual format: one original sealed hard copy and one USB thumb drive containing all required documentation, including completed Excel forms for fully insured medical and dental plans, network details, and performance guarantees, along with attachments such as plan documents, census data, claims experience reports, and a top provider report. The submission deadline is May 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CST, and late proposals will not be accepted. All inquiries must be directed in writing to Brooke Bare of HUB International by 5:00 p.m. on May 7, 2026. The solicitation, identified as RFP #26-1300-01, does not follow standard FAR clause numbering but includes custom contract sections with binding provisions, including a mandatory “no loss/no gain” pricing structure, a fidelity bond requirement, and a broad indemnity clause that holds the contractor liable for all claims against the City regardless of negligence. Contractors must also carry at least $1 million in professional errors and omissions liability insurance with the City named as an additional insured and submit a certificate of insurance prior to contract commencement. Award will be made based on a best value trade-off methodology, with cost accounting for 40% of the evaluation and non-cost factors totaling 60%. Non-cost criteria include financial stability, measured by the insurer’s AM Best rating; claims processing efficiency, including turnaround time and accuracy; the quality and accessibility of claims management reports; technology integration across eligibility, utilization review, and self-service platforms; communication capabilities, including bilingual support and Summary Plan Descriptions; and the submission of three Texas municipal client references and two terminated client references. The contractor must deliver benefit booklets within 45 days of award, maintain a minimum of 50% employee participation in medical coverage (with 69% as the target), and comply with Texas laws including the prohibition on boycotting Israel and the disclosure of interested parties. Proposals must include certifications of non-debarment, non-collusion, and absence of conflict of interest, and the contractor must operate as an independent entity, not an employee or agent of the City, and is prohibited from assigning or subcontracting any obligations