Re-bid Unemployment Cost and Management Claims

The solicitation issued by the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, titled "Re-bid Unemployment Cost and Management Claims," is a procurement opportunity posted on May 12, 2026, with a response deadline of June 4, 2026. This request for proposal (RFP) seeks a contractor to provide services related to the management and administration of unemployment costs and claims, supporting city operations and agencies, including the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. The contract term extends up to twelve months initially, with the possibility of four one-year option extensions, contingent on funding availability and need, leading to a potential maximum contract duration of five years. The estimated contract value ranges from $20,000 annually to an inferred maximum of $100,000 over the five-year period. This locally governed contract, distinct from standard federal FAR contracts, includes a comprehensive set of clauses that address key administrative, legal, and operational matters such as compliance with workers’ and unemployment compensation exclusions, assignability, audits, termination rights, political activity prohibitions, and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) program obligations, which sets a DBE participation goal at 35%. The evaluation of proposals is weighted heavily on qualitative factors, with past performance (40 points) and specialized experience with similar municipal unemployment claims management (35 points) constituting 75% of the total 100-point score, while DBE compliance and price together account for the remaining 25%. The award will be made through a trade-off process considering both technical merit and cost. Contract administration includes electronic invoice submission and payment processing through the City’s Supplier Portal, with ACH as the preferred payment method. There are no specific packaging or delivery terms indicated. Inspection and acceptance are governed by compliance reviews and audits performed by the City’s Office of Supplier Diversity, focusing on DBE participation, good faith efforts, and timely reporting. The solicitation mandates conflict of interest disclosures and requires contractors to affirm no organizational conflicts or provide mitigation plans. Subcontractor reporting is required promptly within 30 days of engagement, and strict "Ban the Box" employment practices apply, prohibiting early-stage inquiries into criminal histories. Proposal submissions must be in two distinct volumes—technical and price—preferably submitted electronically as PDFs via the BRASS Supplier Portal. Overall, this solicitation establishes detailed compliance, administrative, and performance expectations aligned with local laws and diversity requirements, ensuring effective oversight and accountability in managing public unemployment cost and claims services for the City of New Orleans.