Wellbeing RFP Evaluation Criteria
| Criterion | Weight | Key Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical outcomes | 35% | What are your peer-reviewed outcome studies? What is your average clinical improvement? |
| Engagement model | 20% | How do you drive enrollment and sustained engagement? What is your average utilization rate? |
| Technology and UX | 15% | How does your platform work? What is the employee experience? |
| Data and reporting | 15% | What data do you provide? How do you measure ROI? |
| Implementation and support | 10% | How do you implement? What ongoing support do you provide? |
| Price and contract terms | 5% | What is your pricing model? What performance guarantees do you offer? |
Reference Checks
Reference checks with current clients are the most valuable part of the vendor evaluation process. Ask references about clinical outcomes, engagement rates, implementation experience, and vendor responsiveness. Ask specifically: "Would you select this vendor again?" and "What has surprised you — positively or negatively — about working with this vendor?"
Pilot Programs
Pro Tip
Require a 6-month pilot program before committing to a full deployment. A pilot with a defined population, clear success metrics, and a go/no-go decision point reduces the risk of selecting the wrong vendor. Vendors who refuse to pilot are signaling that they are not confident in their outcomes — which is itself a red flag.