Subject:
Title
Ranking of firms and agreement with Commercial Risk Management, Inc., for Workers’ Compensation Third-Party Administration services.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the ranking of firms and agreement with Commercial Risk Management, Inc., for Workers’ Compensation Third-Party Administration (TPA) services.
• This contract provides Workers’ Compensation TPA services for participants of the County Risk Management Program and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department.
• Per County Code 2-142, all Constitutional Officers of the County, except the Clerk of the Circuit Court, participate in the workers’ compensation program and make payments to the Risk Finance Fund.
• Five responsive proposals were received, with Commercial Risk Management, Inc., selected as the highest-ranked firm and recommended for award by Risk Management and the Sheriff’s Office.
• The agreement has a term of thirty-six months with provisions for two additional twelve-month-term extensions. The initial thirty-six-month term is for a total not to exceed amount of $1,348,788.00, with an average annual expenditure amount of $449,596.00.
• Utilizing TPA delivers a broader spectrum of knowledge and industry best practices, provides potential long-term savings due to the TPA’s process for settling/handling claims, including prescription discounts/managed care; provides depth of resources when claim volume vacillates, and removes the potential for conflict of interest with employees handling employees' claims.
• Funding for this service is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The new agreement is estimated to cost $50,000.00 more per year than the existing contract. Appropriations for subsequent years will be contingent on future budgets.
Contract No. 26-0137-RFP has an estimated average annual expenditure of $449,596.00 for a thirty-six-month contract value of $1,348,788.00; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.3 Increase workforce Opportunities.
4.5 Develop and retain a highly skilled and efficient workforce.
Summary:
Summary
This contract provides Workers’ Compensation TPA services for participants of the County Risk Management Program and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department. Per County Code 2-142, all Constitutional Officers of the County, except the Clerk, participate in the workers’ compensation program and make payments to the Risk Finance Fund. Pricing is based on approximately 70% of claims attributed to the Sheriff’s Office and 30% of claims attributed to the remaining County departments, excluding the Clerk.
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Background Information:
A competitive Request for Proposals was issued on December 19, 2025, for Workers' Compensation Third-Party Administrator Services. Five (5) submittals were received, and Commercial Risk Management, Inc., was selected as the highest-ranked firm. Negotiations concluded on March 10, 2026. The firms are listed in the attached ranking spreadsheet.
Fiscal Impact:
Total estimated fees not to exceed: $1,348,788.00
Funding for these services comes from the Risk Finance Fund.
Funding for this service is included in the FY26 Budget; however, costs associated with the transition to the new Commercial Risk Management agreement were not anticipated in the current budget and will be absorbed by the department. Appropriations for subsequent years will be contingent on future budgets.
Staff Member Responsible:
Keith Bentley, Risk Division Director, Office of Management & Budget
Merry Celeste, Purchasing Division Director, Office of Management & Budget
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff
Attachments:
Service Agreement
Ranking Spreadsheet