CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
SELF-INSURED WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BILL REVIEW SERVICES PROPOSAL DUE DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT
1600 TRUXTUN AVENUE, 4th FLOOR
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
(661) 326-3738
Exhibit B
1 Workers’ Compensation Bill Review Services RFP 2026
Request for Proposals
Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Bill Review Services
OBJECTIVES
The City of Bakersfield is soliciting proposals from quali fied contractors for the City’s workers’ compensation bill review services. The City intentionally unbundles its workers’ compensation cost control services. This R equest for Proposal (RFP) is for bill review services only.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
The City of Bakersfield currently employs approximately 2000 permanent employees, including sworn police officers and fire personnel.
The City of Bakersfield encompasses an area of 150 square miles and covers a variety of services including: Police, Fire, Water Utility, Streets Maintenance, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment, and Recreation and Parks Maintenance.
Contractor(s) selected for cost containment services will coordinate their activities with the City’s workers’ compensation third party claims administrator (TPA) , Acclamation Insurance Management Services (AIMS).
PHILOSOPHY
Of primary importance to the City of Bakersfield is a quality cost containment program that improves the administration of workers’ compensation claims for injured workers while providing cost savings to the City. The City employs a full -time Risk Manager to supervise the administration of the program, and appropriate staff assistance so the contractor can be assured of fast and competent cooperation on all cost containment matters.
SCHEDULED ACTIVITES
To the extent achievable, the following schedule shall govern the review, evaluation and award of the proposal. The C ity reserves the right to modify the dates below in accordance with its review process.
Activity Estimated Schedule Date
1. Availability of the Request for Proposal January 9, 2026
2. Closing Date for the Request for Proposal February 27, 2026
3. Final Due Date of Sample Bills of Explanation of Benefits March 27, 2026
4. Evaluation Committee's Selection/Interviews if Needed April 2026
5. Agreement to Council for approval April/May 2026
6. Agreement Performance to Commence July 1, 2026
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RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR
The major responsibilities of the contractor will include, but not be limited to, all areas noted in the SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED section of this RFP. Responsibilities will include any new or related activities mandated by the Legislature or legal precedent and generally accepted cost containment services and practices.
PROPOSALS – BILL REVIEW
The following criteria shall be required of all proposals submitted to provide some consistency for the Selection Committee reviewing these proposals. Any proposal not conforming to these requirements may be rejected.
Attached as Exhibit A is information specific to the City of Bakersfield’s bill review program for 2024, to be utilized while preparing your proposal. Contractors will provide bill review services in accordance with good bill review practices consistent with industry standards.
Written proposals should be submitted from contractors capable of performing services required. Specific performance criteria will be incorporated into the final agreement. A sample agreement is included as Exhibit B and must be executed by reviewing and signing on the acknowledgment line as indicated on page four of the RFP. The proposal must be submitted per the schedule on page one, which is February 27, 2026.
Compliance with the submission of your proposal includes three medical bills for you to review and submit. The bills include a physician visit, a hospital bill, and a diagnostic bill.
The bills should be reviewed and provided based on the fee or fee schedules being proposed in the RFP. Contractors submitting proposals must contact Taylor Wofford , in Risk Management, via email at [email protected], to obtain the needed documentation to prepare the sample explanation of benefits. The Sample bills will be due per the schedule on page one, which is March 27, 2026.
A. Transmittal/Cover Letter
Proposals shall be addressed to Jena Covey, Risk Manager, City of Bakersfield, and include the name, title, address, and telephone number of the contact person responsible for the proposal so that the City may contact them regarding the proposal throughout the period of evaluation. Acknowledgement of receipt of any addenda shall be made in th e Transmittal/Cover Letter, and the letter must be signed by the contractor’s principal with contractual responsibility to bind the contractor to the terms of the agreement.
B. Required Information
Proposals should detail the services the contractor will provide to the City. Additional supporting materials concerning bill review services only may accompany the contractor’s response.
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In addition to demonstrating how services to be provided will be met, as set forth below, the City will require the following information in all proposals submitted:
1. An overview of your companies ’ experience in providing bill review services for Cities and other municipal clients;
2. Minimum of 3 professional references;
3. Bill review and cost savings PPO philosophy;
4. Medical bill review software utilized and the software provider;
5. Bill review work flow from receipt of bill through Explanation of Benefits and recommended payment;
6. Experience and training of bill review staff;
7. Average standard turnaround time for bills;
8. Fee options and how fees are calculated;
9. Average level of savings for bill review;
10. In the absence of a fee schedule, how rate reductions are negotiated;
11. Computer systems and the ability to interface with TPA and utilization review contractor computer systems. Also, the ability to generate reports documenting bill review activity, costs and savings for the City;
12. PPO networks offered and the average below-fee schedule reductions;
13. PPO fee options and how fees are calculated;
14. Pharmacy PPO services and average savings;
15. Any distinguishing or unique qualifications that your company possesses or any other information that documents your ability to provide quality bill review services.
16. Explanation of Benefits for sample bills processed and submitted to the City per the scheduled activities calendar on page one.
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED
The following minimum services will be required of the contractor awarded the bill review agreement:
1. Provide state of the art bill review service for the City of Bakersfield;
2. Review all bills in a timely manner for compliance with applicable fee schedules and reduce accordingly, including those that fall outside of a fee schedule or PPO network;
3. Identify duplicate billings and how they are handled;
4. Deny charges for all items not required for injury described;
5. Identify all unauthorized charges to ensure billing does not exceed parameters of injured workers’ treatment plan;
6. Maintain contracts with effective PPO organizations (including pharmacies), that include providers in the City of Bakersfield area;
7. Provide reports on a monthly and annual basis outlining bill review activity, savings and costs. Provide ad hoc reports as requested;
8. Provide a computer system that interfaces with both the City’s workers’ compensation TPA and utilization review provider;
9. Handle all provider inquiries regarding bill reductions.
10. Assist in defense of liens at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
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AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS
A sample copy of the Agreement is included as Exhibit B to this RFP. Please review the agreement carefully. The contractor agrees, that if selected, to enter into a written agreement, substantially the same as the sample attached hereto.
The City will not approve any requested modifications to the agreement, including the insurance clause and the indemnity clause of this agreement. At the time of agreement execution, the contractor will be required to provide evidence of insurance coverage (Certificates of Insurance) as specified in the agreement.
Failure to execute the agreement without alteration may result in the rejection of the proposal and retaining of a different Contractor by the City.
An acknowledgement line that reads as follows will be found below the signature line on the sample agreement. The contractor must review the sample agreement carefully prior to signing it.
“I have received and reviewed the sample INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT, which was included in the City’s RFP, including the INDEMNITY clause. My signature on the INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT signifies our contractor’s acceptance of said agreement if our contractor is selected for awarding an agreement for the project as described in said RFP. This acceptance is made with the understanding that the Compensation clause will be modified to contain the amounts and dates established for this agreement.”
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Prior to beginning work, the contractor will provide evidence of the following insurance coverage:
1. Professional Liability Insurance providing coverage on a claims made basis for errors and omissions with limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000);
2. Workers’ Compensation with statutory limits and employer's liability insurance with limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence; and the policy shall contain a waiver of subrogation in favor of the City, its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees and volunteers.
3. General Liability Insurance with limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence; Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate;
4. Automobile Liability Insurance with a Combined Single Limit (CSL) of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).
The Workers’ Compensation insurance policy shall include a Waiver of Subrogation endorsement in favor of the City of Bakersfield.
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The General Liability insurance policy shall include an Additional Insured endorsement naming the City of Bakersfield, its mayor, council members, agents and employees as additional insureds.
All policies required of the contractor shall be primary insurance as to the City, its mayor, council members, officers, agents, employees, or designated volunteers and any insurance or self -insurance maintained by the City shall be excess of the contractor's insurance and shall not contribute with it.
All policies shall contain an endorsement providing the City with thirty (30) days written notice of cancellation or material change in policy language or terms.
The insurance required hereunder shall be maintained until all work required to be performed by this Agreement is satisfactorily completed as evidenced by written acceptance by the City.
The contractor shall furnish the City Risk Manager with a certificate of insurance and required endorsements evidencing the insurance required. The City may withdraw its offer of contract or cancel this contract if certificates of insurance and endorsements required have not been provided prior to the execution of this Agreement.
Full compensation for all premiums which the contractor is required to pay on all of the insurance described herein shall be considered as included in the prices paid for the various items of work to be performed under the Agreement, and no additional allowance will be made for additional premiums which may be required by extensions of the policies of insurance.
It is further understood and agreed by the contractor that its liability to the City shall not in any way be limited to or affected by the amount of insurance obtained and carried by
Unless otherwise approved by the City, if any part of the work under this Agreement is subcontracted, the "basic insurance requirements" set forth above shall be provided by, or on behalf of, all subcontractors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. Initial agreement period and fee schedule shall be for a five-year period from the date of inception.
2. All work product and other material on cost containment activity developed on the City of Bakersfield workers' compensation claims is the property of the City and must be relinquished in good order and condition upon termination of this Contract with the contractor. The City shall not be required to pay any additional costs for the transfer of files to the City. Upon the event of termination of the agreement any additional data will be transferred wi thout an additional fee or cost to the City.
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3. List any contracts or agreements currently existing between your business entity and the City.
4. All information received shall be treated as confidential to the extent allowed by law and shall not be released or disclosed to any person outside of the City of Bakersfield without consent of the City or unless otherwise required by law.
TERM OF THE CONTRACT
The term of the contract shall continue for a period of five (5) years commencing on July 1, 2026, and may be terminated by either City or Contractor within sixty (60) days written notice. Written notice shall be given pursuant to the “Notices” paragraph of the Agreement.
SELECTION PROCESS
The most qualified respondents may be interviewed by a selection committee, if needed.
It may be necessary to request a more detailed written proposal from those finalists.
Compliance with the submission of your proposal includes processing of sample bills with an explanation of benefits provided to the City.
REJECTION OF PROPOSALS
The City of Bakersfield reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received and to waive any informality, technical defect or clerical error in any proposal as the interest of the City may require. Applicants submitting proposals which do not subst antially meet the requirements will be considered noncompliant.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The City reserves the right to award this agreement to the firm which, in the opinion of the City, most closely demonstrates compatibility with the City’s expressed goals and objectives, service needs, references, experience of the firm, and pricing option s, and not necessarily to the firm with the lowest cost.
The City may make such investigation as it deems necessary to determine the ability of a proposer to furnish the required services, and the proposer will furnish to the City all such information and data for this purpose as the City may request. Any mater ial misrepresentation or material falsification of information provided to the City in the proposal submission, or at any point in the proposal evaluation process is basis for rejection of the proposal. In the event that the misrepresentation or falsifica tion is not discovered until after any agreement is awarded, the agreement may be terminated at that time. A determination as to whether a misrepresentation or falsification of the proposal submission is material shall be made solely in the exercise of the City’s discretion.
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Failure to provide requested information or unwillingness to accept the terms, conditions and other requirements of the RFP and sample agreement may result in rejection of the proposal.
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS
Contractor shall, at contractor’s sole cost, in responding to this proposal, and in carrying out the terms of the contract, should a contract be awarded, comply with all of the requirements of municipal, state, and federal authorities now in force, or which may hereafter be in force, and shall faithfully observe in all activities relating to or growing out of this proposal all municipal ordinances and state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, and permitting requirements now in force or which may hereafter be in force, including without limitation, obtaining a City of Bakersfield business tax certificate (Bakersfield Municipal Code § 5.02) where required.
ADDENDA
Addenda issued by the City interpreting or changing any of the items of this RFP shall be incorporated into this RFP. The contractor shall sign and date the addenda cover sheet, if any, and submit them with the proposal (or deliver them to the City Risk Management Division, if contractor has previously submitted its proposal to City). Failure to receive any addenda shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor. Contractor shall check with City to en sure all addenda have been received prior to submitting any proposal. City shall not be held liable in any event for failure of contractor to receive addenda or letters of clarification.
ADDRESS
It shall be the sole responsibility of contractor to ensure City has contractor’s proper address. City is not responsible for any misdirection, late delivery, or non-delivery of mail to contractor.
RELIANCE
Contractor shall rely only upon the RFP, letters of clarification and addenda in submitting proposals. Said proposal, letters of clarification and addenda shall include only those documents so labeled and mailed, faxed or hand-delivered by City to all contractors.
RIGHT TO REJECT OR AWARD
The issuance of this RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the City, neither shall the City pay for costs incurred in the preparation of or submission of proposals. City reserves the right to reject all proposals. City reserves the right to award all, or a portion of, or none of the work set forth in this RFP. City does not, by publishing this RFP, or by awarding an agreement to any contractor, guarantee any quantity of work. City reserves the right to terminate this RFP for any reason or for no reason at all.
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TIME
Time is of the essence in this RFP and all responses thereto.
CITY PROPERTY
Unless otherwise required by law, a ll proposals submitted and accepted by City shall, upon acceptance, become the property of the City and shall become a public record upon acceptance and award.
IRREGULARITY WAIVER
The right is reserved by the City of Bakersfield to reject any or all proposals and to waive any irregularities or informalities not affected by law in any proposals received, to evaluate in its absolute discretion, the proposals submitted and to award the agreement according to the proposal which best serves the interests of the City.
UNDERSTANDING PROPOSAL
In submitting this proposal, the contractor agrees that they have carefully examined the specifications herein and all other provisions applying thereto and understands the intent, meanings, and requirements of the same. The contractor agrees, that if selected, to enter into a written agreement, substantially the same as the draft attached hereto, to furnish the items and/or services in the time specified, in strict conformity with the specifications and conditions proposed for the sum stated in said proposal. If the contractor has ANY changes to the attached draft agreement or does not understand any intent, meaning, or requirement of the draft agreement or City’s Request for Proposal, the firm shall state questions, in writing, to the City of Bakersfield prior to signing the proposed draft agreement. Failure to fully clear up any questions in a timely manner shall rest solely and totally upon the contractor and City reserves the right to de -select the contractor for failure to execute the agreement as proposed.
DEADLINE FOR RFP
Five (5) copies of your proposal should be received via mail or hand delivery no later than Friday, February 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, at the following address. No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or by email. The City assumes no responsibility for non-receipt of submittal packages due to any delay, including, but not limited to, carrier delay. It is the proposer’s responsibilit y to meet the deadline stated above. There will be no exceptions to the deadline.
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Attention: Jena Covey, Risk Manager
1600 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
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DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS FOR BILL REVIEW SERVICES
Explanation of benefits for bill reviews should be received via mail no later than Friday, March 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, at the following address. No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or by email. The City assumes no responsibility for non - receipt of submittal packages due to any delay. It is the proposer’s responsibility to meet the deadline stated above. There will be no exceptions to the deadline.
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Attention: Jena Covey, Risk Manager
1600 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL OR SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO JENA COVEY, RISK MANAGER (661) 326-3738.
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CITY OF BAKERSFIELD WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM INFORMATION FOR 2024
1 Average annual bill volume for 2024 14,033
2 Volume of duplicate bills 1,757
3 Volume of prescription bills 1,612
4 Total medical charges billed, OMFS savings, PPO savings and out of network savings for 2024 $16,336,417.99
5 Bill review savings $8,058,060.16
6 PPO Savings $825,270.68
7 Out of Network Savings $476.47
8 Net Savings $8,310,763.19
9 Total number of lines for 2024 37,758
10 Annual bill volume goes through the reconsideration
process per year 197
11 Annual bill volume goes through the IBR process per year 0
EXHIBIT A
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AGREEMENT NO. ___________________
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR'S AGREEMENT
[Over $100,000]
This INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on _______________________, by and between the CITY OF BAKERSFIELD, a municipal corporation (referred to herein as “CITY”), and _________________________________________ a [business type: Sole Proprietorship; Partnership; Corporation; LLC; etc.] authorized to do business in California (referred to herein as “CONTRACTOR”).
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, CONTRACTOR represents that CONTRACTOR is experienced, well qualified and a specialist in the field of Workers’ Compensation Bill Review Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, incorporating the foregoing recitals herein, CITY and CONTRACTOR mutually agree as follows:
1. SCOPE OF WORK . In exchange for the Compensation (defined below), CONTRACTOR shall perform the following: Workers’ Compensation Bill Review Services.
The scope of work shall include all items contained in CONTRACTOR’s Proposal and CITY’s Request for Proposals. CONTRACTOR’s Proposal and CITY’s Request for Proposals are incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth. The Scope of Work shall include all items and procedures necessary to properly complete the task CONTRACTOR has been hired to perform, whether specifically included in the Scope of Work or not.
2. COMPENSATION/PAYMENT PROCEDURE . Subject to the conditions of this section, CITY will pay CONTRACTOR as follows for performing the Scope of Work (“Compensation”): Compensation for all work, services or products called for under this Agreement shall consist of a total payment of ___________ Dollars ($_______________) which shall be paid as follows: Fees shall be paid through the CITY’s Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administrator on behalf of the CITY. The CITY shall receive monthly bills and shall have ultimate authority on all payments made to CONTRACTOR. CITY will pay CONTRACTOR within thirty (30) days after CONTRACTOR submits an itemized invoice for the portions of the Scope of Work completed and that invoice is approved by CITY. The Compensation will be the total amount paid to CONTRACTOR for performing the Scope of Work and includes, but is not limited to, all out-of-pocket costs and taxes. CITY will pay no other compensation to CONTRACTOR. In no case will CITY compensate CONTRACTOR more than $_____________ for performing the Scope of Work.
EXHIBIT B
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3. TERM. Unless terminated sooner, as set forth herein, this Agreement shall terminate on June 30, 2031.
4. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement after giving the other party written notice, as provided herein, sixty (60) days before the termination is effective.
5. ACCOUNTING RECORDS . CONTRACTOR shall maintain accurate accounting records and other written documentation pertaining to all costs incurred in performance of this Agreement. Such records and documentation shall be kept at CONTRACTOR's office during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of three (3) years from the date of the final payment hereunder, and made available to CITY representatives upon request at any time during regular business hours.
6. ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any rights, interests, duties, liabilities, obligations or responsibilities arising out of, concerning or related in any way to this Agreement (including, but not limited to, accounts, actions, causes of action, claims, damages, demands, liabilities, losses, obligations, or reckonings of any kind or nature whatsoever, for compensatory or exemplary and punitive damages, or declaratory, equitable or injunctive relief, whether based on contract, equity, tort or other theories of reco very provided for by the common or statutory law) may be assigned or transferred by any party. Any such assignment is prohibited, and shall be unenforceable and otherwise null and void without the need for further action by the non-assigning party or parties.
7. BINDING EFFECT. The rights and obligations of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties to the Agreement and their heirs, administrators, executors, personal representatives, successors and assigns.
8. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS . CONTRACTOR shall, at CONTRACTOR’s sole cost, comply with all of the requirements of municipal, state, and federal authorities now in force, or which may hereafter be in force, pertaining to this Agreement, and shall faithfully observe in all activities re lating to or growing out of this Agreement all municipal ordinances and state and federal statutes, rules or regulations, and permitting requirements now in force or which may hereafter be in force including, without limitation, ob taining a City of Bakersfield business tax certificate (Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 5.02) where required.
9. CORPORATE AUTHORITY . Each individual signing this Agreement on behalf of entities represents and warrants that they are, respectively, duly authorized to sign on behalf of the entities and to bind the entities fully to each and all of the obligations set forth in this Agreement.
10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered as an original and be effective as such.
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11. DIRECTION. CONTRACTOR retains the right to control or direct the manner in which the services described herein are performed.
12. EQUIPMENT. CONTRACTOR will supply all equipment, tools, materials and supplies necessary to perform the services under this Agreement.
13. EXECUTION. This Agreement is effective upon the date first written above and is the product of negotiation and all parties are equally responsible for authorship of this Agreement. Section 1654 of the California Civil Code shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement.
14. EXHIBITS. In the event of a conflict between the terms, conditions or specifications set forth in this Agreement and those in exhibits attached hereto, the terms, conditions, or specifications set forth in this Agreement shall prevail. All exhibits to which referen ce is made in this Agreement are deemed incorporated in this Agreement, whether or not actually attached.
15. FURTHER ASSURANCES . Each party shall execute and deliver such papers, documents, and instruments, and perform such acts as are necessary or appropriate, to implement the terms of this Agreement and the intent of the parties to this Agreement.
16. GOVERNING LAW. The laws of the State of California will govern the validity of this Agreement and its interpretation and performance. Any litigation arising in any way from this Agreement shall be brought in Kern County, California.
17. INCLUDED DOCUMENTS. Any bid documents, including, without limitation, special provisions and standard specifications and any Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications and responses thereto relating to this Agreement are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
18. INDEMNITY. CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CITY and CITY’s officers, agents and employees against any and all liability, claims, actions, causes of action or demands whatsoever against them, or any of them, before administrative or judicial tri bunals of any kind whatsoever, arising out of, connected with, or caused by CONTRACTOR or CONTRACTOR’s employees, agents, independent contractors, companies, or subcontractors in the performance of, or in any way arising from, the terms and provi sions of this Agreement whether or not caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder, except for CITY’s sole active negligence or willful misconduct.
19. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR . This Agreement calls for CONTRACTOR’s performance of the Scope of Work as an independent contractor. CONTRACTOR is not an agent or employee of CITY for any purpose and is not entitled to any of the benefits provided by CITY to its employees. This Agreemen t shall not be construed as forming a partnership or any other association with CONTRACTOR other than that of an independent contractor.
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20. INSURANCE.
20.1 Types and Limits of Insurance. In addition to any other insurance or security required under this Agreement, CONTRACTOR must procure and maintain, for the duration of this Agreement, the types and limits of insurance below ("Basic Insurance Requirements").
20.1.1 Automobile liability insurance , providing coverage for owned, non-owned, and hired autos on an occurrence basis for bodily injury, including death, of one or more persons, property damage, and personal injury, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.
20.1.2 Commercial general liability insurance , unless otherwise approved by CITY’s Risk Manager, providing coverage on an occurrence basis for bodily injury, including death, of one or more persons, property damage, and personal injury, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. The policy must:
20.1.2.1 Provide contractual liability coverage for the terms of this Agreement;
20.1.2.2 Provide products and completed operations
coverage;
20.1.2.3 Provide premises, operations, and mobile equipment coverage; and
20.1.2.4 Contain an additional insured endorsement in favor of CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents,
employees, and designated volunteers.
20.1.3 Workers' compensation insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. In accordance with the provisions of Labor Code Section 3700, every contractor will be required to secure the payment of compensation to his employees. Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1861, CONTRACTOR must submit to CITY the following certification before beginning any work on the Improvements:
I am aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the Labor Code which require every employer to be insured against liability for worker’s compensation or to undertake self - insurance in accordance with the provisions of that code, and I will comply with such provisions before commencing
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the performance of the work of this contract.
By executing this Agreement, CONTRACTOR is submitting the certification required above.
The policy must contain a waiver of subrogation in favor of CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees, and designated volunteers.
20.2 General Provisions Applying to All Insurance Types.
20.2.1 All policies required of CONTRACTOR must be written on a first - dollar coverage basis, or contain a deductible provision. Subject to CITY’s advance approval, CONTRACTOR may utilize a self - insured retention in any or all of the policies provided, but the policy or policies may not contain language, whether added by endorsement or contained in the policy conditions, that prohibits satisfaction of any self -insured provision or requirement by anyone other than the named insured or by any means including other insurance or which is inte nded to defeat the intent or protection of an additional insured.
20.2.2 All policies required of CONTRACTOR must be primary insurance as to CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees, or designated volunteers and any insurance or self -insurance maintained by CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees, and designated volunteers must be excess of
CONTRACTOR’s insurance and must not contribute with it.
20.2.3 The insurance required above, except for workers’ compensation insurance, must be placed with insurers with a Best’s rating as approved by CITY’s Risk Manager, but in no event less than A -:VII. Any deductibles, self -insured retentions, or insurance in lesser amounts, or lack of certain types of insurance otherwise required by this Agreement, or insurance rated below Best’s A -:VII, must be declared prior to execution of this Agreement and approved by CITY in writing.
20.2.4 The insurance required in this section must be maintained until the Scope of Work is satisfactorily completed as evidenced by CITY’s written acceptance. All policies must provide that there will be continuing liability thereon, notwithstanding any recovery on any policy.
20.2.5 Full compensation for all premiums which CONTRACTOR is required to pay to satisfy the Basic Insurance Requirements shall be considered as included in the prices paid for the performance
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of the Scope of Work, and no additional allowance will be made therefor or for additional premiums which may be required by extensions of the policies of insurance.
20.2.6 It is further understood and agreed by CONTRACTOR that its liability to CITY will not in any way be limited to or affected by the amount of insurance obtained and carried by CONTRACTOR in connection with this Agreement.
20.2.7 Unless otherwise approved by CITY, if any part of the Scope of Work is subcontracted, the Basic Insurance Requirements must be provided by, or on behalf of, all subcontractors even if CITY has approved lesser insurance requirements for CONTRACTOR, and all subcontractors must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this section.
21. INTERPRETATION. Whenever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter, and the singular number includes the plural.
22. KEY PERSONNEL. At request of CITY, CONTRACTOR shall name all key personnel to be assigned to the work set forth herein. CITY reserves the right to approve key personnel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Once the key personnel are approved CONTRACTOR sha ll not change such personnel without the approval of CITY.
23. LICENSES. CONTRACTOR shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep in effect or obtain at all times during the term of this Agreement any licenses, permits and approvals which are legally required for CONTRACTOR to practice its profession and perform the Scope of Work. If CONTRACTOR is a corporation, at least one (1) officer or key employee shall hold the required licenses or professional degrees. If CONTRACTOR is a partnership, at least one (1) partner shall hold the required licensees or professional degrees.
24. MERGER AND MODIFICATION . This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all other oral or written representations. This Agreement may be modified only in a writing approved by the City Council and signed by all the parties.
25. NO WAIVER OF DEFAULT. The failure of any party to enforce against another party any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that party's right to enforce such a provision at a later time and shall not serve to vary the terms of this Agreement.
26. NON-INTEREST. No CITY officer or employee shall hold any interest in this Agreement (California Government Code section 1090).
27. NOTICES. All notices relative to this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall
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be personally served or sent by certified or registered mail and be effective upon actual personal service or depositing in the United States mail. The parties shall be addressed as follows, or at any other address designated by notice:
CITY: Jena Covey, Risk Manager
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
CITY HALL
1600 Truxtun Avenue 4th Floor
Bakersfield, California 93301
CONTRACTOR: (Name of Project Manager)
(Title of Project Manager)
(Address)
Telephone (___) _____________
28. RESOURCE ALLOCATION. All CITY obligations under the terms of this Agreement are subject to the appropriation and allocation of resources by the City Council.
29. SB 854 COMPLIANCE . To the extent Labor Code Section 1771.1 applies to this Agreement, a contractor or subcontractor shall not be qualified to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, be subject to the requirements of Section 4104 of the Public Contract Code, or engage in the performance of any contract for public work, as defined in this chapter, unless currently registered and qualified to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5. It is not a violation of Labor Code Section 1771.1 for an unregistered contractor to submit a bid that is authorized by Section 7029.1 of the Business and Professions Code or by Section 10164 or 20103.5 of the Public Contract Code, provided the contractor is registered to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code Sec tion 1725.5 at the time the contract is awarded. The prime contractor is required to post job site notices in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 16451. This project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Ca lifornia Department of Industrial Relations.
30. STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE. The Scope of Work shall be performed in conformity with all legal requirements and industry standards observed by a specialist of CONTRACTOR’s profession in California.
31. STARTING WORK. CONTRACTOR shall not begin work until authorized to do so in writing by CITY. No work will be authorized before the date first written above.
32. TAX NUMBERS.
CONTRACTOR’s Federal Tax ID Number ______________________ CONTRACTOR is a corporation? Yes No ________ (Please check one.)
33. THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS. In the case of public works contracts, CITY will timely notify CONTRACTOR of third -party claims relating to this Agreement. CITY shall be
18 Workers’ Compensation Bill Review Services RFP 2026
allowed to recover from CONTRACTOR, and CONTRACTOR shall pay on demand, all costs of notification.
34. TITLE TO DOCUMENTS . All documents, plans, and drawings, maps, photographs, and other papers, or copies thereof prepared by CONTRACTOR pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall, upon preparation, become CITY property.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
"CITY" “CONTRACTOR”
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD NAME OF CONTRACTOR
By:________________________________ By:_________________________________ KAREN GOH Print Name:
Mayor Title: __
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
By:________________________________
RICK ANTHONY
Assistant City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM: COUNTERSIGNED:
(Deputy) City Attorney:_______________________ Finance Director: _____________________
VIRGINIA GENNARO RANDY MCKEEGAN
Insurance:____________
By:_________________________________________
(Print Name)_______________________________
(Title)______________________________________
“I have received and reviewed the sample INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT including the INDEMNITY clause
which was included in the City’s RFP. My signature above shall signify our vendor’s acceptance of said contract if our vendor is selected for awarding a contract as described in said RFP. This acceptance is made with the understanding that the Compensation and time for Completion clauses will be modified or created to contain the amounts and dates established for this contract.”