Getting an “apples to apples” comparison on costs and functionality

An RFP requires all vendors to bid on the same system requirements through a uniform process.

Through the process, you’ll collect all initial and ongoing costs associated with the system and compare each cost between vendors (license, implementation, support, hosting, hardware, etc.) to avoid any surprises down the road.

You’ll also spot the differences between systems and vendors’ implementation processes, allowing you to compare and contrast system functionality that best meets the needs of the plan. The process includes developing system requirements, evaluating responses, defining selection criteria and ranking them in order of importance to your plan, as well as weeding out vendors and systems that don't meet the needs of your plan.

Leveraging competitive bids to get more for your money

When you issue an RFP, you let vendors know they’re part of a competitive bid process. This creates an incentive for vendors to offer the version of their product that best meets the needs of the plan at the best price. This competitive process will provide leverage to the plan when negotiating fees and project scope with each vendor.

Learning more about the vendors themselves

The data you gather from vendors during the RFP process will tell you about their industry experience, what other clients they service, financial stability and more. As part of the due diligence process, you will view system demonstrations from each vendor. By asking each vendor to demonstrate how they will address the most challenging administrative functions of your plan, you can further evaluate each vendor and how they would work with your organization.

Defining the terms of the contract

The RFP and the vendor response (i.e., functional requirements, fees, etc.) ultimately become an essential part of the contract between the plan and the selected vendor. Representations the vendor makes during the process also become part of the contract between the plan and the vendor.

Allowing you to evaluate system options

Often benefit administrators are contemplating selecting a “custom off the shelf” solution versus developing their own system. The RFP process will allow the plan the information they need to provide a comparison for this option. This would allow the plan to compare costs, resources, timelines, etc. and make a more informed decision. 

In addition, as a result of the RFP process, the plan may end up considering a “best of breed” approach as you learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of each benefits administration system. For example, as you go through the RFP process you may find that one vendor best meets the retirement administration needs of the plan and a different vendor best meets the needs of the health administration needs of the plan. 

What should you include in your RFP?

A well-crafted RFP should include the following:

• All of the functional requirements needed for the system to administer your benefit program(s)
• Service levels and performance guarantees that set expectations for the plan and vendor
• Initial implementation and ongoing maintenance/support fees
• Customer lists and references
• Staffing levels and a statement of work and services to be performed
• Performance metrics
• Implementation and transition timelines

How can we help?

Our consultant professionals have performed hundreds of benefits administration and related system searches for retirement and health plan organizations. We know the vendor market and can convey those needs to potential bidders to help ensure that they are able to deliver the services your plan is seeking. Other ways we can help include:

• Benchmarking fees against other similar plans to ensure you’re receiving fair and accurate pricing for the services you are seeking
• Working with your plan counsel to ensure that the plan enters into a contract that contains service level and performance guarantees
• Providing implementation oversight, change management, process re-engineering and acceptance testing to help ensure a smooth transition to a new system
• Ensuring that the vendor is living up to the service levels established in their contract