SOLICITATION
FOR PARTICIPATION IN
DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS
FOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL
SOLICITATION NUMBER 1412163646
RESPONSES ARE DUE ON _TBD_2026, BY 12:00 PM ET
ALL RESPONSES SHALL BE SUBMITTED THROUGH JEA’S E-PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT
MANAGEMENT PORTAL WHICH IS PROVIDED BY ZYCUS SUPPLIER NETWORK WHICH CAN BE
ACCESSED AT HTTPS://ZSN.ZYCUS.COM/GUEST. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LOGIN TO ZYCUS
IS PROVIDED BELOW IN THIS SOLICITATION. LATE RESPONSES MAY BE REJECTED.
JEA WILL PUBLICLY OPEN ALL RESPONSES RECEIVED FROM QUALIFIED RESPONDENTS ON
THE DUE DATE, VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE JEA BUYER AT:
(ELAINE SELDERS AT SELDEL@JEA.COM)
1.1) Scope of Work
JEA is seeking one (1) company to offer an Employee Group Dental Insurance Program to its active eligible
employees and their dependents, eligible retirees and their dependents, and COBRA qualified beneficiaries on a
standalone basis.
The objective of this Solicitation is to obtain the best program for JEA and establish contracts for the delivery of a
comprehensive Employee Group Dental Insurance Program with the most competitive rates in the marketplace,
professional plan administration, and the accessibility for employees and retirees to choose the dental benefits that fits
their needs from qualified providers who provide members with quality dental care to help cover the cost of dental
care. Retirees may continue dental benefits if enrolled at the time of retirement. If a retiree declines benefits at any
time, or do not enroll in coverage when they retire, they may not rejoin the Plan at a later date.
JEA’s existing Plan Design includes two (2) Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) options one (1) Dental
Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) as follows:
Contractor - MetLife
DHMO Plan
Low DPPO Plan
High DPPO Plan
Respondent’s proposed product and plans should match to the utmost extent possible, or improve JEA’s existing
product and plan design by expanding features for possible consideration and inclusion in JEA’s program, at JEA’s
sole discretion (e.g., rollover, preventive care waiver, etc.)
• Respondent is to provide a fully insured dental insurance program for all full-time employees working twenty
(20) or more hours per week, eligible retirees, their eligible dependents, and COBRA qualified. The Respondent
agrees to accept dependents included in JEA’s eligibility file as eligible dependents. JEA is seeking to review
three options as follows: two dental PPO Plans (High Plan and Low Plan) and one DHMO Plan.
The MetLife (DPPO) Plan includes a preferred network of dentists who, if selected for services, offer members
reduced out-of-pocket expenses. All dental plan options are fully insured. Design options and corresponding benefits
are available for review at JEA’s Benefits Webpage. Please go to: JEA Benefit Selection Guide for further
information on the Dental Program. Proposer may also refer to the summary of benefits provided in the online
Benefits Handbook at: 2026 Active Benefits Guide | Brandfolder.
Additionally, JEA anticipates continuing with the existing contribution strategy, per employee, per pay-period. JEA
currently contributes 50% of the employee and dependent plan cost for all Dental benefit options. The rate structure
is as follows: 1) employee only; 2) employee plus spouse; and 3) employee plus child/children; and 4) employee plus
family. JEA’s contribution levels are subject to change. JEA plans to remain fully-insured for its dental benefits for
the foreseeable future.
A more detailed description of the Work is provided in Appendix A - Technical Specifications, Claims Exp 1 and 2,
and Appendix C – Current and Requested Dental Plans with Rate History and Contributions included as an
Exhibit to this Solicitation.
Companies that intend to participate shall email Elaine Selders at seldel@jea.com to request a secure link to
receive Supplemental Coverage Information.
All pricing, costs, fees or any remuneration for the placement of this dental insurance program should be Net of
Commissions.
Capitalized terms used in this Solicitation without definition shall have the definitions given to them in Section 2 of
this Solicitation.
Page 2 of 43
1.2) Background
JEA owns, operates and manages the electric system established by the City of Jacksonville, Florida since 1895. In June
1997, JEA also assumed operation of the water and sewer system previously managed by the City. JEA is located in
Jacksonville, Florida, where we proudly serve an estimated 541,076 electric, 407,161, water and 30,460 reuse water
customers. JEA is Florida's largest community owned utility and the eighth largest municipal in the United States.
1.3) Invitation - Submitting a Response
Respondents that meet the Minimum Qualification stated herein are invited to submit a Response to this Solicitation to
perform the Work. A complete copy of this Solicitation, the Technical Specifications, forms and all other documents
referenced in this Solicitation are on JEA’s E-Procurement and Contract Management Portal which is provided by
Zycus Supplier Network which can be accessed at https://zsn.zycus.com/guest/genericRegister/JEA074. Instructions
on how to login to Zycus are provided below in this Solicitation and in Appendix C.
All Responses are due at the time indicated on the title page of this Solicitation. Section 1 of this Solicitation are the
instructions for submitting a Response for this Solicitation. Section 2 of this Solicitation contain the definitions and
commercial contract terms associated with this procurement.
A Contract will be presented to the Respondent awarded this Work and the Contract will incorporate by reference this
entire Solicitation and all associated Addenda. A sample of the JEA Contract can be found on jea.com.
All documentation submitted with a Response must reference the Solicitation Title and Number stated herein. All
Responses must be made on the appropriate forms and formats as specified by this Solicitation and uploaded to JEA’s
procurement platform.
All Responses should be delivered electronically to JEA via the Zycus platform. An automated, detailed auditing
system provides sealed Response integrity. Responses remain sealed on the platform until the Close Date & Time
(Due Date & Time).
A Respondent shall be solely responsible for timely delivery of its Response to the Zycus Supplier
Network. Respondents are strongly encouraged to acquire log in credentials early as possible. Additionally,
Respondents are encouraged to submit Responses early to ensure uploading process goes smoothly. If Respondent is
not able to submit its Response via Zycus, then please email the Response to the JEA Buyer identified in the
Section below titled "Questions".
Responses are due by the time and on the date stated on the cover page of this Solicitation. LATE RESPONSES
MAY BE REJECTED.
1.4) Zycus Instructions
I. How to Log Into Zycus
A. New Users – Zycus
1. New Users will need to register to login. Registration will require Company name, address, phone, contact, title,
phone and email address. Also, it is recommended users use Google Chrome to access Zycus.
2. Note if the company is already doing business with JEA, you may find the company is already registered in Zycus.
To find out if you are registered, try entering your email address in the New User Registration screen. If you receive a
message stating “Email ID already registered”, log in as an Existing User Log-in”. If you don’t know your password,
enter your email address and click on “Forgot Password”.
B. Existing Users or New Users with Previously Registered Emails
Page 3 of 43
1. Once the user has a login on the sourcing platform select “Existing User Log-in”, the user may navigate to the
solicitation by selecting the icon for the applicable solicitation.
II. How to Submit a Response Using Zycus
1. Once logged in, users will see all JEA Sourcing Events, then select the applicable event.
2. Once in the Sourcing Event. The Sourcing Event has prompts for actions required to respond to the solicitation.
3. For the user to proceed to submit a Response to JEA using Zycus, the user will be required to provide its acceptance
of the of the Zycus iSource Terms & Conditions associated with the work. Such Terms and Conditions may cover
non-disclosure, safety, cyber security, Invitation for Bid contract terms, etc.
4. Once all terms are accepted, additional Solicitation information will be available for viewing and submitting a
Response by selecting “Confirm Participation”. JEA will then have a record indicating the company intends to submit
a Response.
5. A user then can respond to each section of the Solicitation, once completed with each section, select “Save”. Note
each section has a red, yellow, green light code. Items will turn green once completed. Yellow and red lights mean
there is additional action required. Users may also note under each tab, there are multiple questions to respond to,
scroll down the list to ensure all questions are answered.
6. In most Solicitations, JEA will provide Technical Specifications, pricing tables in Excel which the user will need to
download. Additionally, Excel pricing tables may need to be uploaded once completed to as part of the Response.
Users can download the required attachments by selecting the “Buyers Attachments” icon.
7. Once the required forms are uploaded and saved, the section light will turn green. Once all sections are completed
and green lighted, the User may select “Submit Response”.
8. Once the user selects “Submit Response”, the user will receive a “Success” pop-up when submitted.
9. Once submitted users may recall and modify submitted documentation and submit information until the Response
Due Date and Time.
10. Zycus does not automatically transfer a pricing submission from the qualifying round into live auction setting for
award consideration. Each user shall manually re-submit its qualifying Response into the live auction environment for
consideration of award.
1.5) Questions
All Questions must be submitted in writing to the JEA Buyer listed herein at least five (5) business days prior to the
opening date. Questions received within five (5) business days prior to the opening date may not be answered.
1.6) Opening of Responses
All Responses received shall be publicly announced and recorded via Microsoft Teams at the date and time indicated
on the cover page of this Solicitation.
The details for the Microsoft Teams will be on jea.com at the following website: https://www.jea.com approximately
48 hours before the Response opening.
At the opening of Responses, a JEA representative will publicly open each Response that was received prior to the
Date and Time, except for those Responses that have been properly withdrawn. JEA has the right to waive
irregularities or informalities in the Responses to the extent allowable under applicable laws.
Page 4 of 43
1.7) Alternate Provisions and Conditions
Responses that contain provisions that are contrary to requirements found on this Solicitation, including, but not
limited to, the Contract terms and conditions contained in Section 2 of this Solicitation, and any requirements found in
the Technical Specifications attached as an exhibit or attachment to this Solicitation, will be reviewed but may not be
accepted by JEA. However, as this is an ITN, JEA reserves the right to negotiate the best terms and conditions if
determined to be in the best interests of JEA, and negotiate different terms and related price adjustments if JEA
determines that it provides the best value to JEA.
1.8) Minimum Qualifications
Respondent must meet the following Minimum Qualifications to be considered eligible to have its Response evaluated
by JEA. Respondent must complete and submit the Minimum Qualification Form provided in this Solicitation.
Respondents that are working or have worked for JEA in the past two (2) years involving similar work must submit
JEA as a reference. JEA reserves the right to ask for additional back up documentation or additional reference
projects to confirm the Respondent meets the requirements stated below.
JEA may reject Responses from Respondents not meeting all of the following Minimum Qualifications:
• The Respondent must provide two references: i) one current public entity client (minimum of 2,500
employees) within the State of Florida providing dental insurance during the past two (2) years ending
December 31, 2025; and if applicable ii) one terminated public entity client (minimum of 2,500
employees) within the State of Florida client previously providing dental insurance during the last five
(5) years ending December 31, 2025. Each of the Respondent’s references should include company
name, contact person, phone number, and email address. JEA may contact and verify the account
reference. References shall be provided and accurately disclosed on Form 3.
• The Respondent and each subcontracted vendor offered by the Respondent must have all the necessary
Florida State Licenses, approvals, filing registrations and/or certificates to offer the products and
services requested in this RFP. JEA may request more information if not submitted with your Response.
• If an insurance company, the Respondent and all subcontractors must have at a minimum, a current
A.M. Best, or equivalent company, rating of A- or better as of December 31, 2025, or for the most
current rating period. (If applicable). Rating shall be provided on Form 1 – RFP
Interrogatories/Questionnaire
1.9) Number of Contracts to be Awarded
JEA intends to Award one (1) Contract for the Work. JEA reserves the right to Award more than one Contract based
on certain groupings of the Work items, or JEA may exclude certain Work items, if JEA determines that it is in its best
interest.
1.10) Insurance Requirements
Prior to JEA issuing a Purchase Order to the Company to begin the Work, the Company shall submit a certificate of
insurance (COI) that is in compliance with amounts and requirements as indicated in this Solicitation. Note that the
COI shall specifically indicate JEA as additional insured on all required insurance except Worker's Compensation and
Professional Liability (if applicable). Furthermore, waiver of subrogation must be provided for all required insurance
in favor of JEA, including its board members, officers, employees, agents, successors, and assigns.
1.11) Optional Use of Small and Emerging Business Program
It is at the Respondent's option as to whether it chooses to subcontract with a JSEB firm. JEA encourages the use of
JSEB firms; however, the Respondent is not required to utilize a JSEB to be awarded a Contract under this
Solicitation.
For more information regarding the JSEB program, please contact Bill Hickey, JEA, Manager of Supplier Diversity
Programs and Procurement Services, hickwj@jea.com or jsebprogram@jea.com.
1.12) Basis of Award - Highest Evaluated
Page 5 of 43
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.