It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution authorizing the Administration to negotiate with Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness, the top-ranked proposer, to continue the City’s wellness program; and, if the Administration is unsuccessful in negotiating with Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness, authorizing the Administration to negotiate with Virgin Pulse, Inc., the second-ranked proposer. The Resolution also authorizes the City Manager and City Clerk to execute an Agreement upon conclusion of successful negotiations by the Administration.

This solicitation is currently under the cone of silence.

On October 26, 2016, pursuant to ITN 2015-112-WG, the City entered into an Agreement with Harris Rothenberg International Inc., d/b/a Humana Wellness, to administer a wellness program for all eligible City employees and dependents. The Agreement had an initial term of three (3) years with optional two (2) additional one-year terms. The two (2) renewal terms were exercised, and the Agreement was scheduled to expire October 25, 2021. However, on October 13, 2021, along with approving the current RFQ to be issued, the Mayor and City Commission approved the month-to-month extension of the existing Agreement until a replacement Agreement can be negotiated and approved.

A wellness program is typically defined as an organized, employer-sponsored program that is designed to support employees as they adopt and sustain behaviors that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, enhance personal effectiveness, and benefit the organization’s bottom line.

Since the inception of the City’s Wellness Program in January 2016, the program has grown in leaps and bounds spreading wellness awareness across the City.  Employees are making healthier decisions and lifestyle changes that ultimately results in a healthy workforce for the City.  Through our wellness program, administered by Humana Go365, we were able to report on employee engagement, successes, and opportunities.  Go365 provides the tools and support to help members live healthier lives and reduce healthcare costs.

Also, the Wellness Champions Committee was established in January 2018, with the mission to empower City staff with the tools necessary to create the best version of themselves.  The Committee meets monthly and provides recommendations that aim to improve employee health and wellbeing, providing a tangible employee benefit that promotes physical, financial and social wellbeing.  The Committee includes representatives from various City departments to represent the diversity of our employees, which is helpful when planning activities, workshops and other wellness initiatives.

On October 13, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission approved the issuance of RFQ 2022-042-WG for Wellness Services for Active Employees. RFQ responses were due and received on December 3, 2021. The City received proposals from the following twelve (12) firms: Active Health Management, Inc., Bienestar4u, CHC Wellbeing, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Health Designs, Inc., Health Fitness Corporation, Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness, Reach Fitness, Virgin Pulse, Inc., WebMD Health Services Group, Inc., WellSpark Health, Inc. and Zwellness, LLC.

On January 19, 2022, the Evaluation Committee appointed by the City Manager convened to consider proposals received.  The Committee was comprised of Marvin Adams, Employee Benefits Manager, Human Resources Department; Theresa Buigas, Administrative Services Manager, Procurement Department; Cynthia Casanova, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation Department; Frank Estevez, Compensation Manager, Human Resources Department; and Shari Lipner, Emergency Management Division Administrator, Department of Emergency Management.

The Committee was provided an overview of the project, information relative to the City’s Cone of Silence Ordinance and the Government Sunshine Law. The Committee was also provided with general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal.  Following presentations by the proposers and a question and answer period, the Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ. The evaluation process resulted in the proposers being ranked by the Evaluation Committee in the following order (See Attachment A):

1st       Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness

2nd      Virgin Pulse, Inc.

3rd       Health Fitness Corporation

4th       CHC Wellbeing

5th       Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company

6th       WebMD Health Services Group, Inc. (tied)

6th       Active Health Management, Inc. (tied)

8th       Health Designs, Inc.

9th       WellSpark Health, Inc.

10th     Reach Fitness

11th     Zwellness, LLC

12th     Bienestar4u

Following is a summary of the top two ranked firms.

Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness (Humana)

Combining innovation, the latest research, and the unique ability to leverage the assets and information of a Fortune 100 insurance company, its program offers a scientifically structured program of rewards and incentives designed to encourage healthier decisions.

Humana has supported the City since the inception of its wellness program over five years ago. Its Go365 wellness program has helped the City’s employees and families focus on prevention and enhance their overall well-being. Its wellness program offers employees and dependents a simple way to integrate healthy behaviors into their everyday lives while simultaneously reducing their long-term healthcare costs.

Virgin Pulse, Inc.

Virgin Pulse, founded in 2004 as part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, designs the technology that cultivates good lifestyle habits for your employees. Virgin Pulse understands what makes well-being work with nearly two decades of experience and that the path to outcomes is achieved through sustained engagement.

Fees will be established through the negotiation process. Funding for the services is subject to the approval of funds through the City's budgeting process. The estimated budget for these services is $250,000 annually.  The average annual expenditure for these services is $249,000.00 for the last five (5) years. Grant funding will not be utilized for this project.

After reviewing all of the submissions and the Evaluation Committee process, I concur with the Evaluation Committee and find Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. d/b/a Humana Wellness, the top-ranked firm, to be the best-qualified firm to provide wellness services for active city employees.

Humana Wellness has demonstrated extraordinary results through the partnership with the City’s HR/Benefits team and Wellness Committee. The firm is committed to continuously improving the program and incorporating innovations to enhance the offerings that keep members excited and engaged about their wellness. Pursuant to the RFQ, the Administration will negotiate a program that is comprehensive, yet remains within the current approved budget of $250,000.

Virgin Pulse, Inc., the second-ranked firm, is also well qualified to be considered in the event that the Administration is unable to negotiate an agreement with Humana Wellness.  Virgin Pulse has extensive expertise in partnering with government and public sector entities to develop successful, engaging well-being programs for their populations.