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Trustees weigh recommending a TPA RFP versus hiring a broker‑consultant first
Summary
The benefits committee favored going straight to a TPA RFP; outside firms urged caution, arguing a consultant‑led approach or use of cooperatives would yield better RFP design, guarantees and audit rights. Trustees asked staff to clarify procurement alternatives before a vote.
Trustees and presenters spent substantial time debating procurement sequence: the employee benefit committee recommended a prompt TPA RFP, while Gallagher and Higginbotham urged either a consultant‑led approach or use of cooperative procurement to ensure the RFP tests the right options and embeds contractual protections.
Gilbert Gonzalez of Higginbotham argued a single, full‑service vendor reduces fragmentation and increases implementation speed. "A TPA is a broker in our case," Gonzalez said, urging trustees to consider interlocal or cooperative channels such as PACE to shorten timelines and leverage pre‑negotiated arrangements. Gallagher presenters countered that a TPA‑only approach can be complex and may miss strategic plan‑design and pharmacy levers that a consultant can design into the solicitation.
Trustees asked staff to map legal procurement options, timelines and potential interlocal agreements and to return with a recommended procurement sequence at the next meeting. No procurement decision was made at the workshop.
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