Update: WA Health Benefit Exchange Re-Issues RFP for Call Center Services

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) has announced they will re-issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire Call Center Services.  This comes via an email today from Exchange staff, in which they ask that any information concerning the previous release of the RFP be disregarded.

From the email:

The release date of the new HBE Call Center RFP was October 26, 2012. Responses to the RFP are due Wednesday, November 21, 2012 no later than 3:00pm. The RFP is available at http://www.hca.wa.gov/hcr/exchange/current_procurements.html

There will be a mandatory WebEx Bidders Conference scheduled for 9:30am Friday, November 2, 2012 (see below). Additionally, there is a mandatory Vendor Letter of Intent that must be submitted by 3:00pm Friday, November 2, 2012. Failure to participate in the WebEx conference and to submit the Letter of Intent will result in eliminating the Vendor from further participation in the RFP process.

For more information please contact the RFP Coordinator, John Flanagan at John.flanagan@hca.wa.gov

Please register for WA Health Benefit Exchange Call Center RFP – Mandatory Pre-response Webinar on Nov 2, 2012 9:30 AM PDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1080633358880085248

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Shortly after this was posted, a follow-up email was sent in response to the severe weather conditions across the East Coast.  The contents of that email are as follows:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Request of Proposals for Health Benefit Exchange Call Center

RFP-028

The Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) recognizes the severe impact across the East Coast that has been caused by Hurricane Sandy. It may take days or even weeks before many operations and services are able to return to normal.

In recognition of the possible effect on HBE’s potential Call Center vendors, coupled with the impending schedule for the Call Center Mandatory Vendor WebEx Conference, HBE is removing the “Mandatory” WebEx participation requirement.

Interested Vendors, if at all possible, are still strongly encouraged to participate in the conference. However, a firm’s inability to join the WebEx on Friday, November 2, 2012 will not result in their disqualification.

PLEASE note that the Mandatory Letter of Intent is still required, and due no later than 3:00 pm, November 2, 2012.

Thank you for your continued interest in HBE’s Call Center acquisition. Those of you affected by the storm have our best wishes for safety and quick recovery.