CalHEERS SDMO RFP #73040873

The State of California, through the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration, is soliciting proposals under RFP #73040873 for System Development, Maintenance, and Operations (SDMO) for the California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment, and Retention System (CalHEERS). This system is critical for supporting Covered California and the Department of Health Care Services, facilitating account creation, eligibility determination, and health plan selection for insurance affordability programs. The scope of work encompasses a comprehensive set of functional areas, including system architecture, software enhancements, program support for cyclic needs, project management, and a three-phase transition process consisting of transition-in, transformation, and transition-out. The contract structure includes five base years with five additional one-year options, utilizing a mix of fixed budgets for hardware, software, and hosting, fixed pricing for the SDMO statement of work, and fixed rates for enhancements. Proposals are due by January 20, 2026, and must be submitted in three distinct volumes covering administrative requirements, completed contracts, and cost data. Evaluation is based on the best value to the State, with a heavy weighting on technical evaluation (6,500 points) and cost (3,500 points). Technical scoring specifically emphasizes key staff qualifications, references, and the bidder's approach to project management, system enhancements, and program support. The selected contractor must provide a robust team of key personnel, including a Project Manager, Enterprise Architect, and Security Officer, while adhering to strict security standards, including the use of secure bays for offshore personnel and compliance with federal data protection laws. Payment is processed monthly in arrears within 45 days of receipt of undisputed invoices, and the State maintains the right to perform final inspection and acceptance of all deliverables at destination.