Solutions
Broker RFP Services
An independent, structured broker search managed from start to finish on your behalf. Designed to evaluate the market, compare options objectively, and help you select the partner best suited to your organization’s needs.
Our Approach
Know You're Choosing the Right Partner
Most employers never test their broker relationship. We run a clear, unbiased RFP so you can evaluate your options with confidence. We do not compete for the role, so you get an honest comparison, not a sales pitch. You stay in control of the decision. We bring the structure, the market knowledge, and the hard questions.
- Clear evaluation criteria and scorecard
- A complete RFP issued to qualified brokers
- An apples-to-apples comparison of fees and services
- Facilitated finalist meetings and consistent scoring
- A written recommendation for your leadership
- Comfort in knowing a prudent process was applied
Why an RFP Broker Matters
Selecting and monitoring your employee benefits broker is more than a business decision; it’s an important governance responsibility. A structured RFP helps validate that your organization has evaluated the marketplace, considered qualified alternatives, and selected a broker based on objective criteria rather than familiarity or convenience.
Even if you ultimately retain your current broker, the process provides valuable benchmarking, strengthens accountability, and gives leadership confidence that the relationship continues to deliver the value your organization expects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should employers evaluate their benefits broker?
While there is no universal requirement, many organizations consider evaluating their broker every three to five years or when significant organizational changes occur, such as rapid growth, mergers, leadership transitions, or changes in benefit strategy.
Why use an independent consultant to manage the RFP?
Because The Kirsch Group does not compete for the brokerage business, our recommendations remain objective and unbiased. Our role is to create a fair, transparent process, evaluate proposals consistently, and help your organization make the best decision based on your unique goals—not sales incentives.
How long does a broker RFP typically take?
Most broker RFP processes are completed within 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the size of your organization, the number of participating firms, and your internal decision-making timeline. We manage the process from beginning to end to minimize the workload on your team.
What types of organizations benefit from a broker RFP?
Organizations of all sizes can benefit from periodically evaluating their broker relationship. Broker RFPs are especially valuable for employers experiencing growth, seeking improved service, preparing for leadership changes, addressing rising healthcare costs, or wanting to ensure they’re receiving competitive pricing and strategic guidance.
Does conducting a broker RFP help satisfy fiduciary responsibilities?
Selecting and monitoring service providers is an important fiduciary responsibility for many employer-sponsored benefit plans. While an RFP is not legally required in every situation, documenting a prudent, objective evaluation process demonstrates due diligence and supports sound governance. For more on fiduciary oversight see our fiduciary advisory services page.
Testimonials
What People Are Saying
"Cara is an exceptional leader in the employee benefits industry. She combines strong technical knowledge with a natural ability to make complex plans understandable for clients. Her ability to build trust and strongly advocate for her clients is what truly sets her apart from any other broker in this space. I am so excited to see her build her own firm."
"Where do I start with Cara?! When joining Flywheel I inherited a mediocre broker that had just completed a disappointing renewal process. We quickly brought Cara and her team in and were able to adjust our renewal, increase our benefits offering and have all of the data at our fingertips to make informed decisions. Cara was a phenomenal partner and I look forward to working with her again."
"Cara Kirsch is powerhouse when it comes to the employee benefits arena. Her extensive knowledge and insight are second to none. Cara can be trusted to keep the interests of her clients first. All that being said, Cara remains approachable and considerate in her delivery with clients."
“When we first started working with Cara, it was really a breath of fresh air because she came in, she really took the time to listen to us in regards to learning about the company, what we really value from our mission, our values, our culture with our employees, and identified areas that she could add value in the sense of benefit offerings.”
"Two words that immediately come to mind to describe her are accountable and driven. She is an expert in her field, and really brings some great insight and strategy to her clients’ accounts. She has an extensive network which allows her to easily and quickly come to solutions in record time! I have always been amazed by how she is able to navigate even the largest organizations. The way she conducts herself and her approach to business is something we should all aspire to achieve!"
"Cara is a focused professional who is particularly skilled at building her understanding of client needs and is tireless in working to find solutions that meet these needs. She has been a valued business partner to help us achieve our goals."
Contact Us
Ready to begin?
Set up a time to meet with us for a personalized benefits analysis. Together, we’ll turn complexity into clarity and help you make decisions that strengthen your organization.
Helping employers design and manage employer-sponsored health and benefits programs.