RFP
#16-03-25
4.3 Vendor Questionnaire
A complete proposal will include responses to each of the following. Proposals that contain incomplete responses may be disqualified from the selection process.
4.3.1 List the name, title, mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address of the contact person for this proposal.
4.3.2
4.3.3
Provide the location of organization’s main office and the location of the office responsible for providing services to Shawnee State University.
Briefly describe organization’s history, number of employees, local and overall organization structure, as well as general services, legal, and other resources respondent is able to provide.
4.3.4
4.3.5
4.3.6
4.3.7
4.3.8
4.3.9
Describe the ownership of the organization and advise if organization is currently involved in any merger, acquisition, organizational restructuring, or other internal change that may impact respondent ’s services.
How long has respondent been providing employee benefits consulting services?
How many benefit clients does respondent currently have?
What is the average size of the benefit clients respondent serves?
Provide evidence of respondent ’s status as an actuary, licensed consultant, or broker in
Ohio.
Confirm respondent ’s status as an independent consultant or broker that is not affiliated with any insurance company, third party administrative agency, or provider network.
4.3.10 Confirm respondent will not accept any commissions for agreements or contracts that respondent brokers for Shawnee State University
4.3.11 Identify the account team that will be assigned to Shawnee State. List job titles and responsibilities, and provide resumes for each individual. Indicate the areas of expertise for each team member who would be assigned to the University’s account.

4.3.12 Identify each service respondent offers as part of respondent ’s “standard” annual service package for employers.
4.3.13 Identify each additional service respondent offers to clients directly or through affiliated providers (identify affiliated providers). Describe respondent ’s ability to provide actuarial services related to renewals and ongoing benefits issues.
4.3.14 Outline respondent ’s approach to client management and service. Describe respondent’s specific plans to service the University’s account, focusing on how respondent would work with University to develop an annual strategic plan.
4.3.15 Describe the transition process respondent uses for new clients
4.3.16 Describe how respondent, if selected, will conduct a benefits plan review and evaluation process.
4.3.17 Describe how respondent will work with the University-wide Insurance Committee
(representing different constituency groups) whose purpose is to “review and explore options for managing and containing medical and other insurance costs, review competitive bids for insurance carriers, and report its findings and recommendations to the president.”
4.3.18 Describe how respondent will educate university management concerning regulatory and legislative changes that affect group health and other benefit plans throughout the year
4.3.19 What types of training (seminars, newsletters, etc.) does respondent offer to keep clients current on changing regulations? Provide samples of recent events and printed materials.
4.3.20 Provide samples of legislative updates, surveys, newsletters, standard reports provided to clients, and other publications the University would receive as part of respondent ’s standard service package.
4.3.21 Describe the process and timeline respondent will use to keep the University informed of benefits plan performance throughout the year.
4.3.22 Describe the technology respondent uses in-house to communicate with clients and deliver information. Describe respondent ’s technological capabilities and how respondent can provide automated services to the University.
4.3.23 Describe the analytical tools respondent would use in evaluating the University’s health plan experience.
4.3.24 Describe respondent ’s process and timeline for handling annual benefit plan renewals.
4.3.25 Describe the process respondent uses to negotiate renewal rates with health insurance companies.
4.3.26 Describe the process respondent will use to help university employees resolve claims issues.
4.3.27 Outline respondent ’s approach to ensuring that clients are in compliance with all applicable regulations. Include a sample internal or external tool respondent uses to manage the reporting and disclosure process.
4.3.28 How does respondent provide legal research, compliance, and legal consultation? Does respondent have internal counsel or rely on outside counsel? If external, identify the firm, describe respondent ’s contractual relationship, and confirm how the University would be charged for these services.
4.3.29 Provide information on respondent ’s underwriting experience.

4.3.30 List the corresponding fees for every service identified as available but outside of the standard package (Attachment B: Pricing Schedule).
4.3.31 Include respondent ’s proposed service guarantees.
4.3.32 Describe respondent ’s capabilities for on-line enrollment and customized web sites.
4.3.33 Describe the data, surveys, or other information to which respondent has access and will use to determine if Shawnee State University is providing a competitive benefit package.
4.3.34 Describe the HR consulting services respondent can provide. Outline which services would be included in the standard package and which would be available at additional cost.
4.3.35 Provide a customer reference list of no fewer than five organizations
 preferably public universities
 with whom respondent currently has contracts and/or has previously provided consulting services of equal type and scope within the past five years. Reference list shall include company name, contact person, telephone number, project description, length of business relationship, and background of project (year of project, summary of work performed, etc.).
4.3.36 Provide a list of customers (similar in size to Shawnee State) with whom respondent previously held a contract for consulting services, but with whom contracts were not renewed within the last five years.
4.3.37 Provide respondent ’s proposed annual fee by completing the appropriate section of this document (Attachment B: Pricing Schedule). Confirm that this fee would not include any commissions.
4.3.38 Provide a list of additional services, not already described in this RFP, which could be provided to Shawnee State University. Outline the additional charges, if any, for those services.
4.3.39 Provide any additional information that will enable Shawnee State University to make an informed decision.