SFHSS announces life and disability RFP and board approves blackout period

The San Francisco Health Service System announced a request for proposals (RFP) for life and disability benefits and the Health Service Board approved a blackout period to protect procurement integrity.

Michael Visconti, SFHSS contracts administration manager, read the RFP announcement into the record and reviewed the scope: employer‑paid basic life and long‑term disability required by union MOUs, voluntary supplemental life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and voluntary short‑term disability. Visconti said coverage sought under the RFP would begin Jan. 1, 2026, that the annual spend represented by the covered benefits is approximately $8,000,000 (about $7,000,000 funded by the city and $1,000,000 by employees), and that the RFP will be posted in early December with final selection expected around March 2025.

Visconti described strict minimum qualifications, oral interviews of finalists, and performance guarantees intended to preserve member support and administrative continuity. He told the board that disabled employees as of Dec. 31, 2025, would not experience benefit disruption.

Board members then considered an action item to begin a blackout period covering Nov. 14 through June (dates announced in the motion) during which board members are prohibited from certain communications with potential vendors. A commissioner moved the blackout notice and it was seconded; the roll‑call vote was unanimous to approve. Visconti said the blackout notice will be posted on the SFHSS RFP webpage and that all vendor communications must be in writing to the contracts unit during the solicitation period.

Board members asked staff to remind employee organizations and retiree groups that broker or vendor solicitations during the blackout are not permitted and to coordinate messaging with HR to reduce inadvertent outreach.