Sedgwick County commissioners asked staff to pull and fully brief a proposed continuation of insurance and benefits consulting services with IMA after several commissioners said the solicitation appeared to lack competition and the prior contract had expired.

A commissioner critical of the process said the county had "given us very little due diligence" and argued the county should have explored other vendors and competitive options before approving a continuation with IMA. He said the current contract had expired and said he was "not ready to vote for this."

Procurement and county staff replied that IMA has been the county’s consultant for about five years and that they have used IMA across county services. Joe, a procurement staff member, confirmed this RFP was characterized as a professional-services continuation and that the office received no other proposals on this specific item. "No. This RFP was, right. It was professional services…We did not. You just simply called up IMA…" he said when asked whether others were solicited.

Justin (county staff) and Sheena (human resources, benefits lead) told commissioners the county could continue service under the old contract while staff works with legal on an extension or bridge contract, and that open enrollment preparations for 2026 are already underway. Sheena confirmed the PBM (pharmacy benefits manager) topic is separate from this consulting contract.

Commissioners also noted that one member recused herself from prior consideration because she works in the human resources department that uses the consultant; staff confirmed "Anna" recused for that reason. Commissioners asked staff to return to the full commission meeting with a public briefing explaining: the county’s relationship with IMA, why staff judged sole-source status appropriate, the dollar amount of prior contracts and the operational risks of switching consultants during open-enrollment preparations.

Chairman Tom said the commission should not feel compelled to approve the item because a contract was expiring. Staff agreed to pull the bid-board item, prepare a public briefing with Justin, Sheena and other staff in person, and, if necessary, work with legal on a short extension to preserve continuity while commissioners review the matter. No contract was approved at the agenda-review session.

The public record shows the county has treated IMA as an ongoing local vendor and the discussion will return to the commission after staff provides the requested documentation and a clearer procurement justification.