Retiree Vision Services

PURCHASING DIVISION
Joni Laming, Manager
(616) 632-7720
purchasing@kentcountymi.gov
SOLICITATION
Solicitation Type Request for Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Number 6577
Description Retiree Vision Services
Date of Issuance 6/24/2026
Inquiries Deadline Date & Time (local) 7/9/2026, 2 PM
Due Date & Time (local) 7/13/2026, 2 PM
Pre-Submission Conference Yes: Non-Mandatory Teleconference (attendance
recommended & pre-registration required)
Conference Date & Time (local) 6/30/2026 2:00 PM
Buyer Name LaBudde
INTRODUCTION
The Kent County Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals for services of a vision vendor to
administer the 2027 retiree vision plan. We are seeking a service provider that can efficiently and
effectively administer a plan that is the same as or similar to our current retiree vision plan design
as described below.
Kent County, Michigan is composed of twenty-one townships, five villages and nine cities. The 2010
census population of the County resides as follows: townships (223,746); cities (371,492); and villages
(7,384). The County seat is in the City of Grand Rapids, which is the second largest city in the State. The
County was organized as a County by the territorial legislature on March 24, 1836. Kent County has
about 1,880 retirees, of which up to 1,880 are eligible for vision coverage along with any eligible
dependents. Details of Kent County Benefits program can be found here: Retiree Benefits | Kent County,
MI.
TIMELINE
Finalist Presentations: July 2026
Bid Selection Decision: August 2026
Implementation Phase: August - December 2026
Open Enrollment: November 2026
Contract: Effective January 1st, 2027
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SCOPE
See Exhibit A
Kent County will award and contract for the goods and services in this Solicitation in an efficient and
timely manner. In no event will notification of award be more than 45 days from the date of submission.
The Kent County Standard Submission Terms posted on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division website are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to have the same force
and effect as if fully set forth herein.
INQUIRIES
Any and all communication regarding this Solicitation shall be on the Kent County Purchasing Division
Inquiry Blog via the Bid Opportunities page or during pre-proposal meetings. Kent County reserves the
right to determine the response format or not respond, at its sole discretion.
PRE-SUBMISSION TELECONFERENCE
A pre-submission conference is scheduled for this Solicitation. Conference registration is located here .
Registration closes 12 hour before the conference scheduled date and time. Attendee should join the
conference a minimum of 5 minutes before the conference is scheduled to commence. Late attendees
may not be admitted.
The conference provides attendees equal opportunity to seek clarifications regarding this Solicitation.
Failure to attend the pre-submission conference may result in rejection of non-attendee inquiries. Each
Respondent will be given the opportunity to ask questions and is responsible for taking meeting notes.
One person from the Respondent should be designated to ask questions when prompted by the
meeting host for teleconference meetings. All additional attendees should remain muted. Attendees
must fully review all Solicitation documents and correspondence prior to the conference. Attendee shall
be an employee or authorized reseller of the Respondent with requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to
participate.
Attendee assumes all risks, costs, and expenses, including technological difficulties, associated with
meeting attendance. Attendee may not screenshot or record any part of the meeting including the
audio. An attendee requiring special services is asked to provide requirements to the Kent County
Purchasing Division at least 48 hours in advance to allow for accommodations.
REFERENCES
Provide 3 references of current/past customers who can verify the quality of products and/or services of
similar size and scope your company provides. References may not include any current/past Kent County
employees.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
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Complete submissions must be received in the Kent County Purchasing Division on or before the due
date/time specified by the designated clock (local time). Late, faxed, or emailed submissions will NOT be
considered.
See Exhibit B
Submission MUST include the following (Refer to Exhibit B):
* Proposal for Section 1, if applicable
* Responses to Section 2
* Adhere to requirements in Section 3
* Include unique value adds specific to you as a provider
Submissions may be submitted electronically on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division's website. Respondent must include a complete proposal as 1 non-password
protected PDF document.
The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with
electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider
harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via Respondent's email.
Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy prior to due date/time.
Submissions may only be withdrawn by written request if the request is received before the due
date/time. Withdrawals after opening shall be subject to Kent County Fiscal Policy - Centralized
Purchasing 5(i)(2).
NO BID
Please provide feedback if you are electing not to participate in this Solicitation.
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EXHIBIT A
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED
WHEREAS, Kent County requested proposals for a retiree vision plan administrator under Request for
Proposal #6577 ("Request for Proposal"); and
WHEREAS, the Contractor desires to provide the aforementioned services and the Contractor submitted
a response to the Request for Proposal; and
WHEREAS, as a result of its review of all submitted, responsive proposals, Kent County is willing to enter
into a contract with the Contractor for the services set forth in the Request for Proposal;
Contractor agrees to the Terms and to provide the Products and Services solicited by Kent County
Request for Proposal #6577 of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. It shall be
the responsibility of the Contractor to employ and assign to the project adequate personnel and
equipment required to undertake and complete the work in a diligent, timely and orderly manner.
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EXHIBIT B
Please provide a proposal effective 1/1/2027 for the following group:
Group Name: Kent County
Group Address: 1 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 300
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Agency Name: Advantage Benefits Group
Agent Name: Mike Cutlip & Rachel Cornelisse
Ancillary Account Kelsey Jager
Manager:
SIC Code: 9121-03
Effective Date 1/1/2027
Current Line(s) of Coverage:
1. Retiree Vision - must quote
Quotes Requested:
Section 1: Retiree Vision - match current
* Retiree Benefits Information
* Current Rates:
1) Single $11.21
2) Double $17.11
3) Family $30.69
Section 2: Questionnaire
* Business Profile
1) How many same industry employers are you providing vision services for?
Specifically retiree groups.
2) Will we have access to a dedicated service representative, where are they
located?
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3) Please provide information regarding your capabilities to send/receive
employee eligibility and payroll data from Kent County System. Would there
be an additional cost for this integration? If so, please provide
implementation credit to offset the cost.
4) Please provide references of current clients of same industry that the County
could contact should they choose.
* Reporting
1) Please provide network comparison based on zip codes.
Section 3: Other
* Commissions requested: Match Current - net of commission
* Requirements
1) The County is not looking to change brokers - Current Broker: Advantage
Benefits Group.
2) Proposals must be submitted in a single document file by the due date.
Electronic single PDF file preferred.
Please reach out to kjager@advantageben.com for Solicitation documents.
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