STEP, Inc. Seeks Proposals for Employee Benefits Brokerage, Insurance, and HR Technology Services
August 26th, 2026
      Solutions That Empower People, Inc. (STEP, Inc.)

ROCKY MOUNT, VA. – August 26, 2026 – Solutions That Empower People, Inc. (STEP, Inc.), a private nonprofit Community Action Agency serving Franklin and Patrick counties, is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide employee benefits brokerage, insurance, benefits administration, and HR technology services beginning  January 1, 2027. 

STEP, Inc. currently employs approximately 54 full-time and 28 part-time employees throughout Franklin and Patrick counties. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), STEP is seeking competitive proposals that support the agency’s employee benefits and human resources needs. 

Services Requested 

STEP, Inc. is seeking proposals for one or more of the following service categories: 

  • Medical insurance, including PPO and HSA-compatible HDHP options 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Vision insurance 
  • Basic and voluntary life insurance 
  • Short-term and long-term disability 
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) 
  • Supplemental benefits, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, cancer, legal, identity theft, pet insurance, and financial wellness programs 
  • Benefits administration 
  • Applicant Tracking System (ATS) 
  • Performance Management System 
  • Learning Management System (LMS) 
  • Employee self-service portal 
  • Reporting and analytics 

Vendors may submit proposals for all services or for individual service categories. 

Medical insurance proposals should include plan options, prescription drug coverage, preventive care, telehealth services, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) options, wellness initiatives, network and out-of-network coverage, and detailed employee and employer cost information. 

Vendor Qualifications 

STEP, Inc. is seeking vendors with demonstrated experience in: 

  • Employee benefits and HR technology services 
  • Community Action Agencies and nonprofit organizations 
  • Employers with fewer than 100 employees 
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance 
  • Benefits administration and employee support 

Vendors must provide at least three client references. 

Procurement Schedule 

RFP Issued: August 26, 2026
Questions Due: September 14, 2026
Proposal Due: September 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET
Vendor Presentations: September 28, 2026
Selection: September 29, 2026
Open Enrollment: November 2026
Effective Date: January 1, 2027 

Proposal Submission 

Sealed proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. ET on September 23, 2026. 

Proposals may be submitted by mail or electronically to: 

Kristy Pickeral
Solutions That Empower People, Inc. (STEP, Inc.)
200 Dent Street
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
kristy.pickeral@stepincva.com 

Employee census and current enrollment information necessary for the development of benefit proposals are available upon written request to qualified vendors. STEP, Inc. may require a confidentiality agreement before releasing census information. 

Minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses are encouraged to submit proposals. 

The complete RFP includes detailed information regarding benefit requirements, HR technology solutions, vendor qualifications, proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, required certifications and attachments, and submission instructions. 

View the complete RFP and proposal submission requirements:
www.stepincva.com/resources/ 

STEP, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and service provider.