The verdict in three sentences
A health insurer's institutional website in New York is scoped around a budget of USD 27,000 to 65,000 in 2026, with strong requirements for data privacy, regulatory compliance and WCAG AA accessibility. The RFP must weight the selection criteria (references 30%, methodology 25%, price 20%, timeline 15%, ESG 10%) to choose on value, not price alone. Expect 12 to 20 weeks of production and USD 550 to 1,100 per month of maintenance.
The scope to frame in the RFP
An insurer handles health data and communicates on regulated coverage: the RFP must be precise on compliance, governance and accessibility, otherwise the quotes received will be incomparable.
| Requirement | Expected detail | 2026 order of magnitude (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional site | 20-35 pages, CMS with workflow | 27,000 - 44,000 |
| Member portal (logged-in) | Auth, documents, reimbursements | 9,000 - 20,000 |
| Privacy compliance | Register, consent, cookies | 3,300 - 6,600 |
| WCAG AA accessibility | Audit + fixes + statement | 4,400 - 8,800 |
| Regulatory compliance (disclosures) | Legal review + display | 2,200 - 4,400 |
| Insurance quote simulator | Multi-step form + lead | 4,400 - 10,000 |
The member portal and the simulator are the two blocks that push the budget toward the top of the range.
Weighting the selection criteria
A successful RFP relies on a transparent scoring grid shared with candidates. Here is a proven weighting for an insurer site.
| Criterion | Weight | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Sector references (insurance/health) | 30% | Similar projects delivered, accessibility |
| Methodology and team | 25% | Project manager, sprints, testing |
| Price | 20% | Total 3-year cost (build + maintenance) |
| Timeline | 15% | Realistic plan and milestones |
| ESG / accessibility / security | 10% | Verifiable commitments |
By weighting price at only 20%, you avoid the cheapest bid that fails on compliance or testing. Total 3-year cost (build + 36 months of maintenance) is the right indicator, not the build price alone.
Mini case study
Marc, digital lead at a 45,000-member health insurer in New York, launches a restricted RFP. He shortlists 4 candidates and scores on the weighted grid. The cheapest bid (USD 29,000) ranks 3rd because its accessibility references are weak; the winning bid is USD 44,000 with a member portal and simulator, plus USD 800/month maintenance. Total 3-year cost: 44,000 + 28,800 = USD 72,800. The simulator generates 60 quote requests/month; at a 12% conversion rate and an average policy worth USD 520/year, that means about 7 new members/month, or roughly USD 43,680 in annual premiums from the web channel alone.
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FAQ
Restricted RFP or direct consultation?
A restricted RFP (3-5 pre-selected candidates) offers the best balance between competition and processing load. Direct consultation suits you if you already have a trusted provider, but forgoes objective comparison on 20 to 30% of the budget.
What budget should an insurer plan?
Between USD 27,000 and 65,000 depending on whether a logged-in member portal and simulator are included. Without them you stay under USD 44,000; with them you exceed USD 55,000.
Is WCAG AA accessibility mandatory?
Yes: insurers serving the public are subject to accessibility obligations. The audit and fixes represent USD 4,400 to 8,800 plus a published conformance statement.
How long should it take?
Between 12 and 20 weeks: 3-4 for scoping and RFP writing, 5-7 for design/dev, 3-5 for testing and accessibility audit, 1-2 for go-live and training.
What maintenance after launch?
Maintenance of USD 550 to 1,100/month covers security, regulatory updates, evolutions and member-portal support.
Let's scope your project. Send us your RFP or key requirements (scope, compliance, timeline) and your indicative budget. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
