Benefits Consulting and Brokerage Services

2026-11-03

The City of Somerville is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide benefits consulting and brokerage services to the City . The City ’ s Benefits Team provides benefits to active City and School benefits eligible staff and retirees . The City does not have a current benefits consultant and is looking for a firm to provide training , guidance and support on existing benefit providers and offerings , and assistance in soliciting future benefits services . Scope of Work The City of Somerville has 2 , 069 benefit eligible employees as of March of 2026 . The City currently offers the following benefits through the following vendors : ▪ Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission ( GIC ) ▪ Dental coverage low and high plans through Delta ▪ Vision care through the Vision Service Plan ( VSP ) ▪ Long term disability through Sun Life ▪ Short term disability through Colonial Life ▪ Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual ▪ Flexible spending plans through HRC Total Solutions ▪ Deferred compensation through a choice of Empower , Equitable and Nationwide ▪ Employee assistance through TotalCare EAP ▪ OBRA 457b accounts through Empower The City of Somerville is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide insurance benefits consulting and brokerage services . Services will include the following : • Provide training , guidance , and support on federal and state employee benefits rules , regulations and laws . • Provide training , guidance , and support on federal and state health care reform rules , regulations , and laws . • Meet with the City staff and / or City Council as needed regarding employee benefits issues . • Provide the City with wellness consulting relative to program design , measurement , and employee engagement . • Provide the City with information on new laws and / or innovative programs or practices being utilized by other Cities and Towns or private employers regarding their employee benefits programs . • Provide background information and assistance to aid the City in the preparation of the annual group insurance budget . • Provide consulting services as needed regarding the City ’ s life insurance plan , Section 125 plan , dental , disabilities plans and voluntary benefits plans . • Assist the City in maintaining compliance with State and Federal laws ; provide notice of regulatory changes and their potential financial impact on the City • Assist the City in evaluating the Medicare Part D Retiree Drug Subsidy ( RDS ) payments received from the Group Insurance Commission . Services will also include all aspects of the RFP process including collection of data , preparation of the bid , analysis of bids , comparisons , recommendations to the City and implementation of plans when a City benefit is up for re - bid , or when the City adds new benefit options . Specifications / Requirements • Proper and valid license for providing consulting and brokerage services is required • Comprehensive knowledge of state / federal benefit laws • Experience in benefit consulting in a municipal setting • The ability to respond to urgent inquiries in a timely manner

Massachusetts

2026-05-02