Project Information

Bid Title

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) Services - UPDATED

Issuing Agency

State Government of Tennessee

Location

Tennessee

Published Date

Nov 12, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 19, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

RFP 31786-00188

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Document ID & Hyperlink:	RFP 31786-00188 RFP 31786-00188 Release 2 Cost Proposal Digital Submission Instructions Amendment 1 Appendix 7.1 Appendix 7.2 Appendix 7.3 Appendix 7.4 Appendix 7.5 Appendix 7.6 Appendix 7.7 Appendix 7.8 Appendix 7.9 Appendix 7.10 Appendix 7.11 Appendix 7.12 Appendix 7.13
Event Start - Response Due:	10/08/2025 12/19/2025
Event Name:	Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) Services - UPDATED
Last Updated:	11/12/2025

Attachment Preview

STATE OF TENNESSEE

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) AND

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION (BHO) SERVICES

RFP # 31786-00188

RFP CONTENTS

SECTIONS:

1.

INTRODUCTION

2.

RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

3.

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

4.

GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

5.

EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD

ATTACHMENTS:

6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances

6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide

6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide

6.4. Reference Questionnaire

6.5. Score Summary Matrix

6.6. Pro Forma Contract

RFP #31786-00188

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APPENDICES:

7.1 Provider and Facility Disruption

7.2 Network Access Analysis Instructions

7.3 Network Access Analysis Sample Report

7.4 TN Zip Code List

7.5 Enrollment by Plan

7.6 Enrollment by Plan Group

7.7 EAP WL MHSA Utilization

7.8 Benefits Administration 834 Guidance Manual

7.9 Decision Support System File Layout

7.10 HIPAA Business Associate Assessment

7.11 DOHR Policy 17-002 – Contract Section A.8.b(5)

7.12 Written Questions and Comments template

7.13 Behavioral Network Access Analysis Instructions

RFP #31786-00188

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1.

INTRODUCTION

The State of Tennessee, State, Local Education, and Local Government Insurance Committees,

hereinafter referred to as “the State,” issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract

requirements; solicit responses; detail response requirements; and, outline the State’s process for

evaluating responses and selecting a contractor to provide the needed goods or services.

Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,

competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents, including those that are owned by minorities,

women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities and small business enterprises, an

opportunity to do business with the state as contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.

1.1 Statement of Procurement Purpose

The State seeks to identify and select a qualified organization capable of providing high quality Employee

Assistance Program (EAP) and Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) services for the State Group

Insurance Program. The Contractor shall provide network administration, utilization management, claims

adjudication, call center services, and benefits communication and marketing materials for members. The

Contractor shall perform all services described in the Scope of Services of the pro forma contract (RFP

Attachment 6.6).

1.1.1 Program Background and Context

Mental and Emotional Health is at the forefront of conversation now more than it ever has been before,

but we recognize that stigma and bias still exist and can prevent someone from seeking treatment.

Seeking care for anxiety or depression should be no different than seeking care for diabetes or asthma.

Ten years ago, Benefits Administration (BA) rebranded the EAP/BHO program to Here4TN with a goal to

reduce stigma and normalize the conversation around mental and emotional health. We also launched

Take Charge at Work, a telephonic coaching program that helps members with stress and depression

improve performance at work. While we know that we still have work to do, we have seen some promising

results over the last few years. Members are more open to sharing their experiences in seeking help for

themselves or a loved one. We have seen members stand up in lunch and learns and share the pain and

struggle they have experienced in dealing with anxiety and depression.

Technology is at the forefront for managing many chronic conditions, and mental health is no different.

Similar to issues with obtaining timely primary care appointments, members encounter difficulties with

finding mental health providers who have availability in a reasonable timeframe. Real-time scheduling is

an area of growing demand in the EAP and BHO provider space. The State is open to, and has been

using, “E-therapy” through mobile apps and “telepsychiatry” through Virtual Visits to help expand the

reach for rural members and those in areas with long wait times to see a mental health professional. BA

continues to focus on members having access to quality and timely care and eliminating barriers to

access both EAP and behavioral health resources. Beyond the technology, we are also focused on

improving quality care by promoting collaborative physical and behavioral health care in which primary

care providers, care managers, and behavioral health consultants work together to provide evidence-

based collaborative care and monitor patients’ progress.

Finally, BA focuses heavily on communicating the benefits and resources offered through EAP and

behavioral health services. This includes scheduling webinars for state plan members and promoting the

available program resources during those sessions. In addition, we have worked directly with several

executive branch departments in the state to deliver trainings, specifically those departments most at risk

for vicarious trauma. During these trainings we reiterate the resources available to Members and

supervisors, including resources like Virtual Visits (telemental health) and apps like Calm Health and

TalkSpace.

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We challenge the EAP/BHO Contractor to raise the bar, think outside the box and be on the cutting edge

of new and innovative approaches that are evidenced based, eliminate barriers to seek support and care

and ultimately improve member outcomes.

1.1.2 Plan Background

The State is the largest purchaser of employer-based health care services in Tennessee. The State

operates three financially independent self-funded public sector plans providing health benefits to

approximately 300,000 employees, retirees and dependents of the State, the University of Tennessee

(UT) system, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and

Local Government agencies (LGAs). Approximately half of the Members are employees and retirees

while dependents make up the other half. See the most recent Annual Report for a description of program

and plan information available at www.tn.gov/partnersforhealth/publications/reports.html. The benefit

plans are governed separately by three committees identified as the State, Local Education and Local

Government Insurance Committees.

State Group Insurance Plan

The State Group Insurance Plan provides medical coverage to approximately 147,000 covered lives. This

includes 139,500 active state and higher education (UT and TBR) employees and their dependents and

8,100 pre-65 retirees and their dependents. Current benefit options include two Preferred Provider Plans

(the Premier Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and the Standard PPO) and a Consumer-driven

Health Plan (CDHP). BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and CIGNA Healthcare administer both the

PPO and CDHP plans in all three grand divisions. The State, as the employer, contributes monthly to

premiums in an amount equal to approximately 80% of the premium cost of one or more of the basic

health plans. The State funds a Health Savings Account for members who enroll in the CDHP and

contributes $500 for employee coverage or $1,000 for family coverage. Approximately $576 million in

medical claims and $240 million in pharmacy and behavioral health claims were paid under these plan

options during plan year 2024.

The State has a separate carve-out contract with CVS Caremark for pharmacy benefits for all plans. The

population health/wellness program is administered by Sharecare who administers the wellness incentive

program, disease management, lifestyle management and the weight management programs. A

Medicare Supplement plan is offered to Medicare eligible retirees and is currently administered by

UMR/POMCO. TASC manages the Health Savings Accounts of members enrolled in the CDHP.

Current voluntary benefits offered to State Plan members and retirees include:

• Prepaid dental plan – Cigna

• Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) - MetLife

• Vision plan – EyeMed

• Life Insurance – Securian Financial

• Short-term and long-term disability – MetLife

• Health Savings and Flexible Benefits – TASC

Contracts are typically reprocured every 3-5 years meaning current vendors may change during the term

of this contract.

Local Education Group Insurance Plan

The Local Education Group Insurance Plan is a self-funded program for 127 Local Education Agencies

(LEA) who elect to secure health insurance coverage through this Plan for their employees, retirees, and

their dependents. The Local Education Plan offers four health plan options including the Premier PPO,

RFP #31786-00188

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the Standard PPO, the Limited PPO and the Local CDHP/HSA, all of which are administered by the

State’s contracted TPAs.

The Local Education Plan enrollment has approximately 64,000 active employees/retirees with a total of

over 128,000 covered lives including their dependents. The majority of employees are teachers and the

balance is comprised of administrators, cafeteria workers, maintenance and other support personnel. The

State, through a budget funding formula, pays the LEA 45% of the aggregate average premium for each

instructional staff and 30% of the aggregate average premium for each non-instructional staff.

Approximately $400 million in medical claims and $167 million in pharmacy and behavioral health claims

were paid under these plan options during plan year 2024.

In addition to health insurance coverage, LEAs may participate in the same dental and vision products as

state plan members.

Local Government Group Insurance Plan

The Local Government Group Insurance Plan is governed by the Local Government Insurance

Committee and is also a financially separate, self-funded program available to employees, retirees, and

their dependents of 392 local governments or quasi-governmental entities in Tennessee who elect to

secure health insurance coverage through this Plan. The health benefits and their administrators are

identical to those under the Local Education Plan.

The Local Government Plan enrollment is approximately 16,800 active employees/retirees with a total of

over 26,000 covered lives including their dependents. Approximately $104 million in medical claims and

$41 million in pharmacy and behavioral health claims were paid under these plan options during plan year

2024. The State does not provide any funding to participating Local Government Agencies.

In addition to health insurance coverage, Local Government Agencies may participate in the same dental

and vision products as state plan members.

1.1.3. The maximum liability for the resulting contract will be determined through the best evaluated cost

proposal and estimated cost associated with this service. The maximum liability will exceed one dollar

($1.00).

1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions

The RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract details the State’s requirements:

▪ Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);

▪ Contract Period (Section B);

▪ Payment Terms (Section C);

▪ Standard Terms and Conditions (Section D); and,

▪ Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).

The pro forma contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent

must sign.

1.3. Nondiscrimination

No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to

discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the

Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin,

or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The

Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post

in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

RFP #31786-00188

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541612Human Resources Consulting Services
• NAICS 624190Other Individual and Family Services

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