2026-21 Broker Services RFQ

Catoosa County, Georgia
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Broker Services
Issue Date: September 23, 2026
ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AT THE ADDRESS BELOW NO LATER THAN
Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 2:00 P.M.
Catoosa County Board Of Commissioners
800 Lafayette Street
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-2500
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 1

Section 1: GENERAL OVERVIEW
A. PURPOSE
Catoosa County Board of Commissioners is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek qualified brokers to assist
with strategically planning, designing, and negotiating the best coverage and cost for selective employee benefit programs.
The County has approximately 430 full-time, benefits eligible employees. Our leadership is looking to ensure we have
financially competitive and affordable benefit programs to offer our employees.
The County does not guarantee a minimum value for this contract.
This RFQ is not an authorization to approach insurers or other underwriting sources on behalf of the County. We specifically
request that no insurance market contact or solicitation be made on behalf of Catoosa County at this time and that no insurance
market reservations or commitments be made for any purpose in regards to any insurance or reinsurance to be provided for
the County.
B. INFORMATION TO VENDORS
1. RFQ TIMETABLE
The anticipated schedule for the RFQ is as follows:
RFQ Released Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Pre-Bid Conference Meeting None
Deadline for questions to Catoosa County to Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 12:00pm
bidquestions@catoosacountyga.gov
Submission Deadline Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Tentative Interview for Finalists Monday, November 9, 2026
Tentative Award Date Tuesday, November 17, 2026
2. QUALIFICATIONS SUBMISSION
One (1) original, One (1) digital copy on a thumb drive, and Two (2) copies of the complete signed submittal
must be received by Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 2:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Qualifications must be
submitted in a sealed envelope stating on the outside, the vendor's name, address, "2026-21 BROKER
SERVICES RFQ". Please use the cover sheet provided.
Submitted to:
Josh Smith, Projects Administrator
Catoosa County Board of Commissioners
800 Lafayette Street
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-2500
Any questions related to this Request for Qualifications shall be directed to the following contact person. No contact is to
be made with any employee of Catoosa County. Such contact may result in disqualification from the proposal process.
Questions must be written and emailed to: Bid Questions: email: bidquestions@catoosacountyga.gov no later than Friday,
October 16, 2026, at noon. Addendum or Q&A will be issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, on the County website:
www.catoosacountyga.gov/bids. It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to look at the website and include any
addenda in their package.
Hand delivered copies may be delivered to the above address ONLY between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM EST,
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the Catoosa County Government. For a complete listing of
holidays please visit www.catoosacountyga.gov.
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 2

Vendors are responsible for informing any commercial delivery service, if used, of all delivery requirements
and for ensuring that the required address information appears on the outer wrapper or envelope used by such
service.
The submittal must be signed by a company officer who is legally authorized to enter into a contractual
relationship in the name of the vendor.
3. CONTACT PERSON
Vendors are encouraged to contact Bid Questions by email at bidquestions@catoosacountyga.gov to clarify any
part of the RFQ requirements. All questions that arise prior to the DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS due date shall
be directed to the contact person in writing via email. Any unauthorized contact shall not be used as a basis for
responding to this RFQ and also may result in the disqualification of the vendor's submittal.
Vendors may not contact any elected official or other county employee to discuss the bid process or bid
opportunities except: 1) through the Projects Administrator named herein, or 2) as provided by existing work
agreement(s). This policy shall be strictly enforced, and the County reserves the right to reject the submittal of
any vendor violating this provision.
4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ADDENDA
Catoosa County will issue responses to inquiries and any other corrections or amendments it deems necessary
in written addenda issued prior to the due date posted on the County's website under the bid information.
Vendors should not rely on any representations, statements, or explanations other than those made in this RFQ
or in any addendum to this RFQ. Where there appears to be a conflict between the RFQ and any addenda
issued, the last addendum issued will prevail. Vendors are advised to check the County's website for addenda
before submitting their bids. Addenda will be posted on the website on Monday, October 12, 2026,
www.catoosacountyga.gov/bids
Vendors must acknowledge any issued addenda by including Addenda Acknowledgement Form with the
submittal. Proposals which fail to acknowledge the vendor's receipt of any addendum will result in the rejection
of the offer if the addendum contains information which substantively changes the Owner's requirements.
5. LATE SUBMITTAL AND LATE MODIFICATIONS
Submittals received after the due date and time will not be considered. Modifications received after the due
date will not be considered. Catoosa County Government assumes no responsibility for the premature opening
of a proposal not properly addressed and identified, and/or delivered to the proper designation.
6. REJECTION OF PROPOSALS/CANCELLATION
Catoosa County Government reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and reserves the right to waive
irregularities or informalities in any submittal or in the submittal procedure, when to do so would be to the
advantage of Catoosa County. Catoosa County reserves the right to cancel this RFQ at any time.
7. MINIMUM RFQ ACCEPTANCE PERIOD
Submittals shall be valid and may not be withdrawn for a period of 90 days from the date specified for receipt
of submittals.
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 3

8. NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT
By submitting a response to this RFQ, the vendor represents and warrants that such proposal is genuine and
not a sham or collusive or made in the interest of or on behalf of any person not therein named and that the
vendor has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other vendor to put in a sham proposal, or any
other person, firm or corporation to refrain from submitting and that the vendor has not in any manner sought
by collusion to secure to that vendor any advantage over any other vendor.
By submitting a proposal, the vendor represents and warrants that no official or employee of Catoosa County
Government has, in any manner, an interest, directly or indirectly in the proposal or in the contract which may
be made under it, or in any expected profits to arise there from.
9. COST INCURRED BY VENDORS
All expenses involved with the preparation and submission of the RFQ to the Catoosa County Board of
Commissioners, or any work performed in connection therewith is the responsibility of the vendor(s).
10. RFQ OPENING
Only the names of the firms responding to this RFQ will be disclosed due to the fact that the proposals will be
subject to an evaluation review for accurate qualifications. A list of firms responding to the RFQ may be
obtained from the County's website www.catoosacountyga.gov after the RFQ due date and time stated herein.
11. OPEN RECORDS
All materials submitted in connection with the RFQ will be public documents and subject to the Open Records
Act and all other laws of the State of Georgia, the United States of America, and the open records policies of
Catoosa County Board of Commissioners. All such materials shall remain the property of Catoosa County and
will not be returned to the respondent.
12. TAXES
Catoosa County Government is tax exempt. No sales tax will be charged on any products or services. Catoosa
County cannot exempt any other person/vendor from applicable sales taxes that may be required of them in
relation to this project. Selected vendor will be provided with Catoosa County's Sales and Use Tax Certificate
of Exemption number upon request.
13. VENDOR INFORMATION
All submissions shall include a completed vendor information form, current copy of business license and current
W-9. Failure to provide this information could result in the disqualification of the vendor from submitting a
proposal.
14. INSURANCE
Selected vendor will be required to provide Catoosa County with a Certificate of Insurance for liability and
workers compensation insurance before work can begin on this County project and be effective for the duration
of the work as described in the contract documents, including authorized change orders, plus any period of
guarantee as required in the general warranty. General liability insurance should be at least one million dollars
($1,000,000) combined single limit per occurrence. Professional liability insurance should be at least one
million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and $2 or $3 million aggregate. Automobile insurance should be
at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit per accident for bodily injury or property
damage, and Workers Compensation insurance should be as required by the State of Georgia.
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 4

15. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
Catoosa County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d TO 2000d-4 and
Title 49, code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part
21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to
such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant
to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full
opportunity to submit bids in response to this Request for Qualifications and will not be discriminated against
on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap/disability in consideration of an award.
By submitting their bids, all bidders certify to Catoosa County that they will conform to the provision of the
Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. In every contract of over $10,000 the provisions in 1 and 2 below apply:
1. During the performance of this contract the contractor agrees as follows:
a. The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race,
religion, color, sex, or national origin, except where religion, sex or national origin is a bona fide
occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the contractor. The
contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment,
notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.
b. The contractor, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the
contractor, will state that such contractor is an equal opportunity employer.
c. Notices, advertisements, and solicitations placed in accordance with federal law, rule or regulation shall
be deemed sufficient for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this section.
2. The contractor will include the provisions of 1 above in every subcontract or purchase order of over $10,000
so that the provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor. The proposal process will be a
two-part process. Proposers will submit first round proposals by the date indicated in Section 1.
16. GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE ACT
Vendors submitting a Qualification package in response to this RFQ must provide the following information in
the package to indicate compliance with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. The form is
provided for completion.
A. A statement that indicates the contractor will conduct itself in compliance with O.C.G.A. 13-10-91 and
Rule 300-10-.02 in the execution of the contract.
B. By completing the affidavit that is provided with this solicitation, the vendor is attesting to the following:
a. The affiant has registered with and is authorized to use the federal work authorization program.
b. The user identification number and date of authorization for the affiant.
c. The affiant is using and will continue to use the federal work authorization program throughout the
contract period.
d. Any employee, contractor or subcontractor of such contractor or subcontractor shall also be required to
satisfy the requirements set forth in this paragraph; and
e. Upon contracting with a new subcontractor, a contractor or subcontractor shall notify Catoosa County
and shall deliver a completed Subcontractor Affidavit to Catoosa County within five (5) working days
of entering into a contract or agreement of hire with the subcontractor before the new subcontractor
begins any work.
C. Failure to provide the completed and notarized affidavit with the contractor's proposal will result in
immediate disqualification as required by the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act.
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 5

SECTION II - GENERAL CONDITIONS
A. CONTRACT PERIOD
The initial term of a contract awarded as a result of this RFQ shall be from Monday, January 18, 2027, through Monday,
January 17, 2028. The contract may be renewed according to the terms stated herein for two (2) additional one (1)
year periods.
The contract shall terminate absolutely and without further obligation at such time as appropriated and otherwise
unobligated funds are no longer available to satisfy the obligations of the County under this contract. The County
does not guarantee a minimum value for this contract.
If, at any time, the County determines it is in its best interest to discontinue use of these services the County reserves
the right to cancel the Agreement by giving thirty (30) days' advance notice.
B. SCOPE OF WORK
Provisions of brokerage services to Catoosa County under any agreement ensuing from this proposal will entail the
following, at a minimum:
1. Assist with annual benefits renewals, including marketing the County's desired insurance package through
identification of appropriate markets, analysis of proposals, providing recommendations, and assistance in negotiation
of changes in contracts with insurance providers
2. Prepare, disseminate, and analyze bid packages in accordance with County specifications, should formal bidding
package for quality of benefits be deemed necessary
3. Contribute to the development of objectives and initiatives through strategic planning
4. Advise the County regarding plan design issues, quality of benefits provided, plan management, wellness, potential
cost savings, cost effectiveness, and reducing health plan expenditures while retaining a competitive benefits program
5. Evaluate various insurance products submitted for consideration by carriers, agents, and brokers
6. Monitor ongoing contracts, including third party administrators, to ensure contract compliance
7. Audit contracts for accuracy of coverage, terms, and conditions
8. Analyze claims history and insurance utilization at least quarterly
9. Provide information on employee benefit issues, trends, and proposed or new legislation
10. Competitively market stop loss annually or other lines of coverage, as needed
11. Communicate information regarding changes in statutes, rules, and regulations regarding our responsibility under
federal and state laws, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the management of benefits and the self-funded plan
12. Review benefit plan documents, including summary plan descriptions, contracts, employee summaries, and
policies/procedures ensuring plan documents are made available to the County
13. Manage plan changes with vendors as necessary
14. Provide leadership and management of carrier relationships
15. Review, coordinate, and implement Client agreed upon plan "best practices" to help limit plan liability and increase
participant satisfaction
16. Identify opportunities for streamlining and improving administration procedures
17. Provide custom open enrollment and new employee orientation benefit planners and/or bulletins and other
communications pertaining to the health and wellness program
18. Facilitate open enrollment with in-person meetings, attend benefits fair(s), provide webcasts (recorded or live)
19. Assist and consult in the design and implementation of an employee wellness program
20. Meet with County administrative staff as needed
21. Provide a key contact person to be available to answer questions and resolve issues that arise during the year regarding
employee benefits, contract administration, and service provisions
22. Single billing services
23. COBRA Administration
24. Perform other related consultation services as needed or requested
25. Provide County with all renewal quotes in addition to a quote/bid tabulation
26. Provide County with FIRM renewal numbers well in advance of the renewal deadline to allow for BOC approval prior
to open enrollment
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 6

C. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Broker Proposal Questionnaire:
The Broker Proposal Response Questionnaire must clearly demonstrate the required qualifications, expertise,
competence, and capability of the vendor. Please provide a concise description of your firm's ability to provide the
services required in the Scope of Work of this document. Additionally, please include the answers to the following
questions (address each by number):
1. Describe your organizational structure (i.e., publicly held corporation, partnership, etc.). Review each area of
your organization and describe their function. Describe the process for handling concerns/questions/calls from
client staff and employees.
2. Confirm that you are a licensed broker in the State of Georgia and provide documentation. Confirm that you
serve as a broker independently and are not employed by any insurance company, third party administrative
agency or provider network.
3. Briefly describe your company's organization, philosophy, and management. Also, please provide a brief
company history.
4. Describe your contractual relationship, if any, with organizations or entities necessary to your proposal's
implementation (i.e., actuarial services, data information services, third party providers for Open Enrollment,
etc.).
5. How long has your organization been providing brokerage services? Has your organization ever operated under
a different name? Why was the name changed?
6. Provide a list of known complaints filed with the Insurance Commissioner's Office, against your firm, over the
past ten (10) years. Include the nature of the complaint and disposition.
7. Provide a list of public sector clients your firm currently represents and indicate if they are fully or partially
self-funded or fully insured.
8. Indicate the method of service provision your organization would utilize in implementing your proposal (i.e.,
individual broker, individual broker with supporting back up, team of brokers). Please provide resumes of
individual brokerage staff that would provide services to the County. Include a brief professional history for
each individual and how they are qualified to provide service to Catoosa County.
9. Briefly describe the level of service and support provided to Catoosa County by your broker(s) on a day-to-day
basis. Describe the level of service and support by your staff on a day-to-day basis. Are your customer service
employees licensed insurance agents and are they certified under COBRA and HIPAA?
10. How does your firm provide continuing education to ensure that each broker is educated on current market
trends and legislative developments? How is this information communicated to your clients?
11. Describe how you build an understanding of the direction and priorities of the County employee benefit program
and how you would utilize this information to recommend changes and project future trends.
12. Detail how your organization assists clients in developing a strategic benefit plan.
13. Describe your organization's anticipated involvement in the annual renewal process. Include information
regarding process timeframes, negotiation of rates and vendor selection. NOTE: Catoosa County's current plan
year for health and dental insurance is July 1st to June 30th.
14. Discuss any innovative mechanisms you have used to minimize insurance and service costs to your clients.
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 7

15. How do you keep your clients aware of trends and new developments in employee benefits?
16. How does your firm assist Catoosa County in developing plan specifications? Explain your process for
providing plan recommendations to your clients.
17. Explain the process your organization would utilize to assist Catoosa County in selecting an insurance vendor.
How would your company's experience and expertise benefit the County in this process?
18. Please provide a list of vendors you have relationships with in regard to health, disability, life, supplemental
health, and dental insurance plans. Describe your preferred carrier relationships and the benefits of these
relationships to your clients. Describe any blocks or pools of business that your firm has access to and what
benefits are to your clients.
19. Describe how your organization strives to streamline benefit administration for your clients. Include any
services you provide for automation of the benefit process (i.e., electronic capabilities, outsourcing options).
How many of your clients are enrolled online? How many employees does this represent? Does your staff
build these enrollment websites? Attach any associated cost for these services on a separate fee schedule.
20. Describe process for Open Enrollment for client staff and its employees.
21. Detail how you develop a benefit communication strategy with your clients. Include what tools or resources
you have available to assist your clients in effective communications not only the specific plan details but also
the value of the benefits offered.
22. What training resources does your organization provide to assist your clients in education and training their
employees?
23. Describe your services. What resources does your organization utilize to answer compliance questions from
your clients? List three recent compliance questions and show the format and content of your response.
24. Please provide a case study on a recent client that has begun working with your firm in the past three years and
show the financial impact on claims that your firm has made through benefit consulting. Describe your
recommendation and how these are related to the financial impact on their plan.
25. What makes your organization unique from the other organizations that may submit proposals for the County's
consideration?
26. Provide any additional information regarding your organization or services that you feel would be beneficial in
helping the County to select a benefits broker.
27. Please provide a list of four verifiable public sector references, all of whom are able to comment of your
organization's relevant experience. Please furnish:
Group Name; Contact name and telephone number;
Services you provided; Time period covered;
Benefit programs addressed; and number of covered employees.
28. List any and all accounts held by local governments (city and county) in Georgia within the last five (5) years.
If any, do you still hold that account? If no, why not? If no Georgia local governments, indicate so.
Pricing:
It is Catoosa County's expectation that brokerage fees and commissions will be borne by the selected insurance provider.
If additional brokerage fees are expected of Catoosa County, or if your firm offers additional fee- supported services
which are supplemental to your proposal, please clearly outline such costs and services on a separate fee addendum at
the end of the proposal in a separate, sealed envelope clearly identified as "Financial Proposal."
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 8

Oral Presentations:
During the evaluation process, Catoosa County may at its discretion, request oral presentations from any or all
respondents for the purpose of clarification or amplifying the materials presented. However, respondents are
cautioned that the County is not required to request clarification; therefore, all proposals should be complete and
reflect the most favorable terms available from the broker.
Criteria for Evaluation:
All proposals will be evaluated according to, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
Your firm's indicated ability to provide a level of service sufficient to meet the County's needs, as stated in your
response to Scope of Work and Broker Proposal Questionnaire.
1. Extent and success of previous work your firm has provided to organizations similar in nature and size to
Catoosa County.
2. The proposal itself as an example of your firm's work product.
3. Qualifications/experience of key personnel to be assigned to the project as stated in 8 of Broker Proposal
Questionnaire.
4. Adherence to RFQ requirements, including: completion of all required forms; provision of all requested
information; adequacy of responses, and return of the RFQ by the stated deadline.
The following point system will be utilized to help evaluate proposals:
Criteria Point Allowed
Experience (History of working with Public Entities) 10 points total
Consulting (Perceived ability to negotiate benefits programs) 10 points total
Technology (Capabilities of online support) 10 points total
Service Model (Ability of upfront & ongoing support) 20 points total
Implementation (Approach to service, enrollment & ongoing mgmt.) 20 points total
Compliance Resources (Inform of current & legal updates) 10 points total
Responsiveness of understanding scope (Accurately completing our request) 10 points total
Providing References 10 points total
D. ADMINISTRATION
The project will be administered by the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners with the Catoosa County Human
Resources Director being the main point of contact for all questions during the term of the contract.
E. BIDDER'S CHECKLIST - REQUIRED FORMS
Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials
beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. The cost for developing the submittal is the sole
responsibility of the respondent. The following documents are also required to be included in your proposal packet:
REQUIRED FORMS:
Documentation that is required for a complete proposal includes:
1. Documentation listed under Section D: Statement of Qualifications
2. Vendor Information Form
3. Execution of Proposal Form
4. Addenda Acknowledgement Form (If applicable)
5. Proposer's Certification and Non-Collusion Affidavit
6. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit
i. Contractor Affidavit
7. Completed W-9
8. Copy of current business license
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 9

9. Copy of current Georgia Insurance Brokerage license
10. Proof of Insurance (Liability and Workers Compensation) - Sample document may be given at time of RFQ
submittal. Once the contract is awarded, vendor must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance and a copy of
the insurance policy naming Catoosa County as an additionally insured.
F. PROCEDURES AND MISCELLANEIOUS ITEMS
1. All questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and shall be communicated in the form of an
addenda if the scope specifications are to be affected and posted on the County's website under bid information.
All firms responding to this RFQ should check the website on Monday, October 12, 2026, before responding to
this RFQ.
2. All respondents to this RFQ shall indemnify and hold harmless the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners,
and any of their officers and employees from all suits and claims alleged to be a result of this RFQ. The issuance
of this RFQ constitutes only an invitation to present a proposal. It does not constitute an Invitation to Bid nor
does it commit the County to issuing an Invitation to Bid. The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners
reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether any aspect of a respondent's submittal meets the
criteria in this RFQ. The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners also reserves the right to seek clarifications,
to negotiate with any vendor submitting a response, to reject any or all responses with or without cause, and to
modify the procurement process and schedule. In the event that this RFQ is withdrawn or the project canceled
for any reason, the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners shall have no liability to any respondent for any
costs or expenses incurred in connection with this RFQ or otherwise.
3. This RFQ is subject to the provisions of the Catoosa County Purchasing Policy and any revisions thereto, which
are hereby incorporated into this RFQ in their entirety except as amended or superseded herein.
4. Failure to submit all the mandatory forms from this RFQ package shall be just cause for the rejection of the
qualification package. However, Catoosa County reserves the right to decide, on a case by case basis, in its sole
discretion, whether or not to reject such a bid as non-responsive.
5. Any payment terms requiring payment in less than 30 days will be regarded as requiring payment 30 days after
invoice or delivery, whichever occurs last. This shall not affect offers of discounts for payment less than 30
days, however.
6. In case of failure to deliver goods in accordance with the contract terms and conditions, Catoosa County, after
due oral or written notice, may procure substitute goods or services from other sources and hold the contractor
responsible for any resulting additional purchasing and administrative costs. This remedy shall be in addition
to any other remedies which Catoosa County may have.
7. By submitting a qualification package, the vendor is certifying that they are not currently debarred from bidding
on contracts by any agency of the State of Georgia, nor are they an agent of any person or entity that is currently
debarred from submitting bids on contacts by any agency of the State of Georgia.
8. Any contract resulting from this RFQ shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Georgia and
any litigation with respect thereto shall be brought in the courts of the State of Georgia. Then contractor shall
comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
9. It is understood and agreed between the parties herein that Catoosa County shall be bound hereunder only to
the extent of the funds available or which may hereafter become available for the purpose of this agreement.
G. BONDS
Bid Bond - not required
Payment Bond - not required
Performance Bond - not required
2026-21 Broker Services RFQ Page 10