Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services

The City of St. Petersburg, (City), is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide Employee Assistance Program (“EAP”) services for active employees and their eligible dependents and eligible Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) participants (collectively “Participants”).

The City is seeking EAP services that provide strategies that will positively impact the well-being and success of its participants. Offeror’s EAP services shall include counseling for alcohol and drug abuse as well as other impairment factors such as emotional disturbance, family disruption, illnesses of family members, and financial or occupational stress. Offeror’s EAP services shall also include providing resources that assist Participants in balancing and enriching their personal lives in such areas as legal and financial management, physical health and well-being, and work-life balance. Offeror shall provide direct accessibility to the services of licensed mental health professionals and information 24/7 via telephone.

Offeror shall provide all labor, materials, supervision, travel, facilities and equipment for performance of all aspects of EAP services as specified in this Request for Proposal (“RFP”). Offeror shall provide administrative services and documentation and shall administer EAP services in compliance with city specifications and all applicable laws as defined herein. No allowances shall be granted to Offeror to compensate for extra time or personnel required to adequately perform the services described. The various tasks and schedules for services, as outlined in this RFP are not to be interpreted as the only duties required of the Offeror and should not inhibit any enhancements deemed necessary by Offeror in its proposal to provide a robust program of EAP services.

The city reserves the right to add to or otherwise modify the scope of work at any time prior to the final execution of an Agreement.

There are approximately 3400 City active employees eligible for EAP services. Last year, the City spent approximately $55,800 for EAP services. The City currently contracts with ComPsych Corporation on a per employee, per month cost basis for EAP services. ComPsych provides 40 hours for critical incident, training and health fairs per plan year.

The following are city guidelines regarding the core of its EAP services:

1. Assist employees in achieving optimal job performance through resolution of personal and family issues and achieving a satisfactory work/life balance.
2. Recognize alcoholism, drug abuse, and emotional problems as treatable health problems.
3. The City does not condone employee drug activity which is contrary to the law.
4. Sick leave and/or vacation leave will be granted to employees for the purposes of treatment or rehabilitation as in any other illness or health program.
5. Use of EAP services will have no adverse affect upon employee job security.

Approximately 415 city employees are subject to Department of Transportation random drug testing to maintain their commercial driver’s license (“CDL”). The current contractor provides performance outcome measures via statistical and demographic data.

The City's policy regarding random testing of employees with CDLs is to terminate employment for anyone who tests positive for a felony drug (e.g., cocaine) and can result in immediate termination for someone who has a second non-felony drug (e.g., marijuana) test, or who has other current or prior violations of the City’s Code of Conduct. If the employee tests positive for a non-felony drug and is otherwise eligible to maintain employment, the employee will be referred to EAP services. Any services not covered under the EAP or the health insurance plan would be at the employee's own expense.

The City contracts with Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. (“Consultant”) to provide consulting services for employee benefits. Consultant does not accept compensation or remuneration from the EAP provider.