Staff described the difference between buying insurance and hiring an insurance broker and explained the RFP for proposal 252605. Procurement reported 14 firms were invited and four responded; an evaluation committee recommended USI Southwest (El Paso) as the highest-scoring respondent, with a proposed commission of $72,000 and an initial annual term with options to renew up to four years.

Commissioners questioned the scoring, local preference and whether the county could negotiate with other firms. Procurement staff and county counsel explained procurement rules: the county cannot negotiate with firms that did not score highest under the process used.

Commissioner (speaker 7) moved to accept the award to USI Southwest; Commissioner (speaker 2) seconded. A roll-call vote was recorded by county clerk: Commissioner Lanier (yes), Commissioner Gonzales (yes), Commissioner Totocchini (no), Commissioner McDaniel (aye), and Chair (yes). The motion passed 4–1.

Staff noted the county can revisit the contract at one year if desired and that cost was the most significant scoring factor in this procurement.

Vote at a glance: Award of Proposal 252605 to USI Southwest — Passed 4–1.