Group Benefits Consultant

Background
The City of Albuquerque is seeking proposals from qualified Offerors to provide a comprehensive range of actuarial and consulting services for various employee benefits programs. The City employs approximately 6,500 benefits-eligible employees and has agreements with 15 government agencies in New Mexico, covering around 16,500 total lives. The goal of this contract is to enhance the design, implementation, maintenance, communication, and strategic improvements of benefits programs including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Programs, and Wellness Programs.

Work Details
The contractor will provide a full range of actuarial and consulting services related to the following:

1. Recommendations on plan design changes and financial analysis of cost impacts.
2. Determination of premium levels for self-funded plans.
3. Assistance in budget preparation and projections.
4. General consulting advice on state health benefits legislative changes and federal regulations.
5. Review of employee notices (e.g., COBRA Notifications).
6. Analysis of pending legislation during legislative sessions with a 24-hour turnaround time.
7. Notification on benefits trends affecting programs during legislative sessions.
8. Attendance at City meetings as required.
9. Arranging meetings with vendors/contractors at the City's request.
10. Drafting RFPs for competitive proposal processes for benefit programs if necessary.
11. Analyzing master contracts presented by benefits providers or drafting new contracts as needed.
12. Keeping the City informed about emerging trends in benefits plan designs and recommending improvements.
13. Assisting in preparing communication materials for open enrollment.
14. Providing benchmarking information on benefits programs as requested.
15. Preparing fund analysis and claims analysis as requested.
16. Participating in necessary report preparations including cost projections for upcoming years.

Period of Performance
The contract is anticipated to last for one year with four possible one-year extensions.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed primarily within the City of Albuquerque and may involve interactions with various government agencies within New Mexico.

Bidder Requirements
Offerors must have been in business for at least 10 years or have staff with equivalent experience in relevant benefit areas; at least one group actuary must be on staff or under contract; experience with public agencies is required; proposals must include a Pay Equity Reporting Form; compliance with insurance requirements is mandatory; Offerors must not be debarred from receiving funds from any government agency.