RFQ for Consulting Services for Employee Health & Benefits Plan

Request for Qualifications/Proposals
To Provide
Consulting Services
for
Employee Health and Benefits Plan
RFP# 66114-27-RFQ-0629
Proposal Release Date: June 29, 2026
Deadline for Written Questions Due: July 16, 2026
Proposal Must Be Received No Later Than: July 24, 2026 @ 3pm
Presentation of Proposal Analysis to the City: August 2026
Finalists Interview with City: August 2026
Finalists Selected and Decision Announced: September 2026
Final Contracts due for City Approval: September 2026

Page 2 June 29, 2026
City of Canton
110 Academy Street
Canton, Georgia 30114
TO: Prospective Vendors
DATE: Monday, June 29, 2026
SUBJECT: Request for Proposal for Benefits Broker Services
You are invited to submit Proposals for Benefits Broker Services for
the City of Canton.

Page 3 June 29, 2026
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS/PROPOSALS
for
BENEFITS BROKER SERVICES
SECTION I - OVERVIEW OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
A. PURPOSE
The City of Canton is seeking proposals from qualified, licensed employee benefits
consulting firms to provide strategic advising, plan design, actuarial analysis,
compliance review, and ongoing management of our health and benefit program.
Our primary objective is to partner with a consultant who can help us balance cost-
efficiency with a competitive, high-quality benefits package that attracts and
retains top talent.
The City of Canton has approximately (150) full-time employees that are eligible
for employee benefits. Our current plans are an HDHP with an HSA and a
Traditional Co-pay plan, dental, vision, life, disability, as well as ancillary plans
consisting of Cancer, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness. The City's
plan year starts April 1st of each year.
B. INFORMATION TO OFFERORS
I. SUBMISSION OF PROSPOSAL:
One original signed proposal, four (4) bound copies and one (1) electronic copy
on a USB flash drive of the complete submittal must be received no later than
3:00pm local time on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope stating on the outside the
offeror's name, address, telephone number, and titled (Benefits Broker Services)
to:
City of Canton
Attn: Amy Thomas
110 Academy Street
Canton, GA 30114
Submittals received after the due date and time will not be considered.
Modifications received after the due date will not be considered.
II. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS/CONTACT PERSON:
All inquiries regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing via e-mail to the RFP
Review Committee at rfp.review@cantonga.gov no later than the date indicated
in the Calendar of Events. All clarifications, supplemental instructions, and answers
to questions will be posted as an Addendum on the City of Canton website at the
following address:
http://www.cantonga.gov/government/departments/finance/rfps-bids.

Page 4 June 29, 2026
III. REJECTION OF PROPOSALS
The City of Canton reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, in whole or
in part, and to waive any formalities.
Omissions and incomplete responses may render the proposal non-responsive.
Brokers may submit whatever additional information they feel is appropriate to
accompany their proposal and in whatever additional format they desire.
However, the additional information must be submitted as an appendix and must
be identified as such.
IV. NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT
By submitting a proposal, the offeror warrants that the proposal is genuine and
not a sham. By submitting a proposal, the offeror represents and warrants that no
official or employee of the City of Canton has, in any manner, an interest, directly
or indirectly in the proposal or in the contract which may be made under it, or in
any expected profits to arise therefrom.
V. COST INCURRED BY OFFERORS
All expenses involved with the preparation and submission of the RFP or any work
performed in connection therewith are the responsibility of the offeror(s).
SECTION II - GENERAL INFORMATION
It is the objective of the City of Canton to be competitive within the City of Canton/North
Georgia area in attracting and retaining high quality employees at costs that both the
City and employees can afford. The City strives to achieve this by implementing programs
that reward personal responsibility and reflect the City's financial commitment to its
employees.
A. CONTRACT PERIOD
The term of engagement for benefits services will be three years commencing
January 1, 2027. The term may be extended by mutual written agreement of the
parties for two (2) additional one-year options. In the event of termination, Broker
will assist the City of Canton in arranging a smooth transition process. However,
Brokers obligation to provide services to the City of Canton will cease upon the
effective date of termination, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
Either party will have the right to terminate engagement upon ninety (90) days
prior notice to the other.
B. SCOPE OF WORK
The selected firm shall provide comprehensive benefits consulting and brokerage
services, including, at a minimum:
I. Strategic Financial Management & Plan Design

Page 5 June 29, 2026
* Assessment & Strategy: Conduct a comprehensive audit of existing
insurance programs to identify gaps, redundancies, and cost-saving
opportunities.
* Plan Design & Funding: Provide expert recommendations on innovative plan
designs, contribution strategies, and wellness initiatives. Evaluate and
advise on funding mechanisms (self-insured vs. fully-insured) relative to
the City's fiscal goals.
* Renewal & Budgeting: Facilitate the annual renewal process, including
carrier negotiations, budget forecasting, and rate projections.
* Performance Analytics: Conduct quarterly and annual reviews of plan
performance, utilizing detailed claims data to provide actionable insights.
II. Compliance, Administration & Auditing
* Contract Review: Audit all binders, policies, endorsements, and contracts
for accuracy and suitability.
* Regulatory Support: Provide comprehensive access to legal and compliance
guidance (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, etc.) and timely, actionable updates.
* Quality Assurance: Perform regular carrier billing and dependent eligibility
audits.
III. Enrollment, Technology & Communication
* Benefits Technology: Facilitate an online enrollment platform that supports
self-service and integrates with payroll systems.
* Communication Strategy: Assist in the design of high-quality educational
materials and enrollment announcements.
* Employee Support: Maintain an inbound support model (call
center/dedicated line) with documented Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
IV. Account Management & Relationship
* Dedicated Service: Assign a dedicated account management team as the
primary point of contact.
* Operational Support: Provide on-site assistance for Open Enrollment and
as-needed support for day-to-day administrative issues.
SECTION III - BROKERAGE SERVICE QUESTIONNAIRE
A. Firm Overview
* Provide a brief organizational history, ownership structure, and an
organizational chart of the service team.
* Confirm licensure in the State of Georgia and provide documentation.
* Attest to independence from insurance carriers, TPAs, PBMs, or other
potential conflicts of interest.
* Describe any Broker of Record (BOR) requirements or transition limitations.
B. Service Team & Account Management
* Provide bios for key individuals assigned to the City.
* Define your service model and structure for day-to-day interactions.
* Detail your call center support (staffing levels, hours, and SLA response
times).

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* Describe your process for ensuring continuity of service during a broker
transition.
C. Consulting, Strategy & Data Analytics
* List specific tasks included in your standard retainer/fee structure.
* Detail expertise in managing self-funded health plans.
* Describe your methodology for cost containment, PBM management, and
wellness initiatives.
* List data sources/actuarial methodologies used for quarterly and annual
reviews.
D. Implementation & Communication
* Describe your project management approach for Open Enrollment.
* Describe available technology platforms to streamline administration.
* Explain your approach to developing a benefit communication strategy and
ongoing employee support.
E. Compliance
* Describe your compliance monitoring model.
* Confirm licensure/certification of customer service reps regarding
COBRA/HIPAA.
* Confirm availability for training/advisory sessions for HR/Management.
F. Experience, References & Pricing
* Provide five (5) public entity references similar in size to the City.
* Provide a case study demonstrating measurable financial impact for a public
employer.
* Pricing: Provide a detailed fee structure/compensation model, including all
commissions, incentives, and potential conflicts of interest.
SECTION IV - BROKER SELECTION CRITERIA
The City of Canton will evaluate proposals based on the following:
1. Quality of Proposal: Completeness, clarity, and conciseness.
2. Scope of Services: Depth of services offered.
3. References: Quality of references, particularly from similar public entities.
4. Qualifications: Experience and cultural fit of the management team.
5. Resources: Tools and value-added resources available to the City.

Page 7 June 29, 2026
The undersigned certifies the truth and correctness of all statements and of all
answers to questions made hereinafter.
Name of Firm/Broker:
_________________________________________________
Name of RFP Contact:
___________________________________________________
Title: ________________________________
Phone #: ___________________________
Email: _____________________________
Local Office Address:
____________________________________________________
Corporate Address:
______________________________________________________