Issuu

Cover Letter

March 25, 2026

Adrian Brown, Buyer

Irving Independent School District — Purchasing Department

2621 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062 adbrown@irvingisd.net

Re:

RFQ No. 26-16-732 — Property & Casualty Insurance Consulting Services

Dear Mr. Brown and Members of the Irving ISD Evaluation Committee,

Higginbotham is honored to present our proposal to provide comprehensive property and casualty insurance brokerage services to Irving Independent School District. We bring a strong combination of local Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) presence, decades of expertise serving Texas public school districts, and a disciplined brokerage approach built over 75 years.

Since our founding in 1948, Higginbotham has grown into the largest independent insurance brokerage firm in Texas and one of the largest in the nation. As our firm expanded, we developed a dedicated Public Sector Practice focused on serving governmental entities and school districts. This specialization allows us to deliver tailored solutions that align with Irving ISD’s strategic goals while ensuring cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and a service model designed specifically for public entities.

Currently, Higginbotham serves Irving ISD as your trusted Employee Benefits consultant and broker. Through that partnership, we have nurtured a strong working relationship with district leadership and staff—gaining a deep understanding of the District’s priorities, culture, and operational needs.

Our team has demonstrated a commitment to responsive service, strategic guidance, and long-term partnership on the benefits side, and we plan on providing that same level of expertise, communication, and accountability to Irving ISD’s property and casualty program. Expanding our relationship would allow the District to benefit from a more coordinated risk management strategy and a unified advisory team that already understands Irving ISD.

Our property and casualty team provides year-round support across all aspects of program management, including:

• A dedicated, locally based DFW account team with direct experience serving Texas Independent School Districts.

• Strong relationships with both traditional carriers and risk-sharing pool options available to ISDs.

• A structured transition and implementation framework designed to ensure continuity and immediate impact.

• Proactive claims advocacy, annual Claims Audit coordination, and loss control resources that go well beyond transactional brokerage.

• Active engagement in TASB, TASBO, TASA, and other organizations supporting Texas school districts.

By selecting Higginbotham, Irving ISD will join many other Texas public sector entities that rely on us as a trusted advisor. Our experience with similar districts—paired with our existing presence within Irving ISD—positions us to deliver a seamless transition and a more aligned risk management strategy.

We welcome the opportunity to present in-person and are available at the District's convenience. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Cordially,

Brian Schnieder Managing Director

Executive Summary

Higginbotham is proud to differentiate ourselves by how we connect insurance brokerage with day-to-day District operations. Our single-source Day One + Day Two Services ® model is designed to move beyond placement and deliver a structured, year-round risk management program that reflects how Irving ISD functions holistically across campuses, transportation, facilities, and administration.

For Irving ISD, this means decisions are not based solely on underwriting inputs, but on a validated understanding of property schedules, loss drivers, fleet exposure, claims activity, and more. We translate this operational data into a concise strategy that improves underwriting results, strengthens market positioning, and supports more predictable budgeting.

Our model emphasizes early engagement and continuous involvement throughout the policy cycle. This includes detailed underwriting preparation, proactive claims oversight, and ongoing loss control coordination. Data from claims, safety initiatives, and property assessments is continuously evaluated and used to refine both renewal strategy and day-to-day risk management practices. The result is a program that evolves with the District rather than reacting to market changes.

Because Higginbotham already supports Irving ISD with Employee Benefits solutions, we bring an added level of coordination and familiarity that most firms cannot. This allows for more efficient communication, better alignment across service areas, and a stronger understanding of District priorities. It also reduces transition risk and accelerates implementation.

In practice, Irving ISD can expect a local brokerage partner that is engaged throughout the year, accountable for outcomes, and focused on reducing total cost of risk (TCOR) while improving program clarity and performance.

Day One Services

Business Coverage Bonds Premium Financing Industry Programs Service

• Identify Unique Exposures

• Industry Risk Benchmarking

• Create Custom Coverage Plan

• Strategies by Project Type

• Market Exposures

• Early Carrier Engagement

• Place Coverage

• Result: Low Cost, High Quality Coverage

• Focus on Total Cost of Risk

• Global Coverage and International Program Access

• Solely Dedicated Team

• Construction Surety Specialists

• Bonds for Businesses and Individuals with Varying Credit

• Flexible Bonding Solutions

• Capacity Growth Planning with Quick Turnaround

• Underwriter Relationship Management

• Pay in 12 Equal Installments to Avoid Upfront Cost of Coverage

• Payment Structures Aligned to Revenue Cycles

• Wise for Companies Wanting Access to Capital for Business Investments

• Preserve Working Capital

• Cash Flow Advantages

• Predictable Budgeting Support

• Practice Groups for Clients Varying in Size, Scope and Risk

• Construction Industry Specialization

• 25+ Business Sector Specialties

• Cross-Industry Expertise

• Guidance for Specific Industries

• Contractor-Focused Advisory

Timelines

• Custom Timeline to Track Pivotal Account Activities with Each New / Renewal Policy

• Proactive Renewal Planning

• Our Commitment to Fulfill Our Obligations Throughout the Policy Term

• Continuous Program Stewardship

The Higginbotham Difference: Day Two Services®

Safety & Loss Control Claims Advocacy

• Risk Management Gap Analysis

• OSHA Compliance

• DOT Compliance / CAB Reports

• Safeland PEC Training

• Site Assessments

• Program Review / Development

• Safety Training Resources

• Work Eligibility Support

• Loss Source Analysis / Performance Measurement

• Business Continuity / Disaster Preparedness

• Data-Driven Safety Insights

• Jobsite Risk Visibility

• Digital Safety Tracking

• Incident Consultations

• 24/7 Loss Reporting

• Claims Oversight

• Coverage Advocacy

• Litigation Support

• Claims Reviews

• Business Interruption Support

• Catastrophe Response Support

• Safety Enhancement

• Regulatory Compliance

• Carrier Service Coordination

• Early Claim Intervention

• Reduced Claim Escalation

• Faster Resolution Support

Analytics

• Custom Risk Analysis

• Experience Modifier Analysis and Forecasting

• Loss Forecasting

• Benchmarking

• Collateral Requirement Evaluations

• Predictive Loss Insights

• Performance Trend Tracking

Contract Review

Attorney Review:

• Indemnification Agreements

• State Anti-Indemnity Acts

• Antiquated Insurance Requirements

• Defense and Release Provisions

• Control of Risk Issues During Development/Construction

• Assumption of Liabilities and Coverage Implications

• Contractual Risk Alignment

• Coverage Gap Identification

Risk Management Information Systems

• Sample Policies / Procedures

• Training Resources

• HR Resources

• Learning Management System (LMS)

• 500+ Streaming Videos

• Centralized Risk Platform

• Mobile / Onsite Training

• Real-time Reporting Dashboards

Firm Overview and Qualifications

Firm History and Scale

Established in 1948, Higginbotham has cemented its position as one of the leading independent brokerage firms in the nation and the largest in Texas. Today, the firm employs more than 3,800 professionals across more than 130 offices nationwide, delivering comprehensive insurance, risk management, financial, and employee benefits consulting services to organizations across the United States.

The firm has achieved year-over-year growth every year since 1987, and is consistently ranked among the top 20 largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States—as well as the largest headquartered in Texas. This scale allows Higginbotham to provide national market access and carrier relationships while maintaining the responsiveness and accountability of a locally engaged partner.

Ownership Structure and Organizational Stability

Higginbotham is a privately held organization operating under a broad-based employee ownership structure—aligning our consultants and service teams with long-term client success and service continuity year over year. Through its holding companies, approximately 60% of the firm is owned by more than 1,500 employee shareholders, with the remaining 40% held by its minority capital partner, Stone Point Capital.

This ownership structure promotes accountability, financial discipline, and alignment with client interests. Because our team members are also owners, they approach client relationships with a long-term perspective focused on sustainable outcomes rather than short-term results.

Higginbotham is not currently involved in any merger, acquisition, or restructuring that would impact service delivery. The firm’s growth strategy has been deliberate and structured, supporting continuity and long-term partnership for our clients.

Higginbotham has been serving Texas public school districts for decades. Our public entity practice is staffed by professionals who understand the regulatory environment, budgetary constraints, procurement requirements, and risk exposures unique to ISD clients. Public school districts are not treated as commercial accounts — they are managed by team members who specialize in this segment.

Public school districts present a distinct risk profile requiring specialized market access and coverage expertise. Student liability, athletic and extracurricular programs, special education exposure, public official and employment practices liability, school bus fleets, and large property portfolios each require carriers, coverage forms, and underwriting relationships that differ significantly from commercial placement. Higginbotham's public entity team works in this space exclusively.

Headquarters: 500 W. 13th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Founded: 1948

Largest independent insurance broker headquartered in Texas

750+ team members statewide

Full-service P&C, employee benefits, and personal lines capabilities

Dedicated public entity practice serving ISDs, municipalities, and governmental entities

AM Best-rated carrier access; surplus lines market access where appropriate

Texas Department of Insurance licensed; all team members hold applicable Texas P&C license

Property Programs

General Liability

School Bus and Fleet

Public Officials Liability

Workers' Compensation

Umbrella/Excess

Cyber Liability

Contract Review

Claims Advocacy

Active representation through the claims process—first notice, reserve monitoring, and resolution—including annual Claims Audit coordination. Capability Overview by Coverage Line

Broad form property for multi-campus ISD portfolios: scheduled property, equipment breakdown, and inland marine for mobile equipment and technology.

Student injury, premises liability, products/completed operations, and abuse and molestation coverage structuring appropriate to school environments.

Commercial auto programs covering owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles, including activity bus and transportation contractor exposures.

Employment practices liability, errors and omissions, and educators' legal liability for elected boards, administrators, and key staff.

Guaranteed cost, large deductible, and risk pool options evaluated annually against loss performance and market conditions.

Layered excess programs sized to ISD total insured value and loss exposure profiles.

Data breach, ransomware, and network security coverage for District technology infrastructure and student/employee data.

Counterparty contractual insurance and indemnification review for construction contractors, vendors, and service providers.

Assigned

Account Team and Local Representation

Irving ISD will be served by a local team with named accountability for every aspect of the account. All team members are based in the DFW area. There are no out-of-state or centralized service center handoffs.

James Hubbard Managing Director

James is a Managing Director and Public Sector Practice leader who advises and assists other producers on government and educational institution accounts. He is known for his steadfast commitment to always "doing what's in the best interest of his clients."

A lifelong resident of Texas, James is intimately familiar with the Texas marketplace and served two terms as Wise County Commissioner. As Commissioner, James established budget and tax policies, overseeing the county’s public works, human services, community development and recreation programs—gaining a unique insight into the challenges faced by public entities. Today, he shares that knowledge with his team, so they can identify the best carrier, coverage, and pricing solutions for their clients.

Before joining Higginbotham in 2008, James worked at Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.

Brian Schnieder, CIC, CLCS

Managing Director

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Brian has built a diverse client base that spans municipal governments, educational institutions, private equity firms, and hospitality groups. He has developed a reputation for providing strategic insurance and risk management solutions tailored to the unique needs of public entities and complex organizations.

In his leadership role, Brian advises public sector clients across the country on risk financing strategies, alternative risk transfer, and program design. He and his team guide clients through municipal risk challenges including property, liability, workers’ compensation, and emerging exposures such as cyber and law enforcement liability. His extensive experience also includes to private equity, in which he counsels funds and portfolio companies on due diligence, M&A integration, and specialized coverages such as representations and warranties insurance.

Recognized for his expertise and client advocacy, Brian has been featured in industry publications including Insurance Journal and Insurance Business Magazine. He is known for cultivating strong relationships with both clients and carrier partners, ensuring innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Brian began his career at State Farm Insurance & Financial Services, where he managed multiple offices across Texas, and gained valuable operational and client-service experience. He joined Higginbotham in 2010, and has since been instrumental in the growth of the firm’s Public Sector and Private Equity practices.

Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University (TCU).

Richard

Peace

Managing Director

Richard joined Higginbotham through a partnership with Financial Benefit Services (now Higginbotham Public Sector), an independent employee benefits firm specializing in the public school market. He manages the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and product selection for clients, while overseeing a team of account managers, client service representatives, and billing representatives.

As Managing Director, Richard also facilitates the onboarding process for new clients, leading strategic discussions for future benefits plan enhancements, and cultivating new client relationships. His mission is to ensure that his clients—and their employees— understand their benefits offerings and recognize the value in them. Richard approaches every client interaction and project with a servant attitude, always putting the needs of his clients and their employees first.

Carolyn

Howard, CSRM, ASCR Account Manager

Carolyn is a Public Sector Leader who manages new and renewal business for government and municipal clients while overseeing team operations and daily account stewardship. She is known for her consistency, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to her clients and colleagues.

With more than 32 years of experience in public sector insurance, Carolyn brings deep expertise and a practical understanding of the unique challenges faced by public entities. She serves as a primary point of contact for claims and account services, including certificates of insurance, endorsements, and billing inquiries—ensuring clients receive timely and accurate support.

Carolyn’s ASCR and CRSM designations reflect her dedication to professional excellence and her ongoing commitment to delivering informed, reliable guidance to the clients she serves.

Local Representation Commitment

All four team members are DFW-based and available for on-site meetings at Irving ISD's facilities. Higginbotham does not route public entity clients through centralized or remote service centers. The team assigned to Irving ISD owns the relationship from contract award through every renewal and claim—with no handoffs to junior or out-of-market staff.

Knowledge of Industry Practices

Day Two Services®

The Higginbotham Difference

Backing your day-to-day service team is our Day Two Services® leadership. These industry experts maintain active, current knowledge of the P&C insurance marketplace and the specific conditions affecting Texas public school districts. From Claims Advocacy to Captive Loss Control, this leadership team will contribute to your risk management program and remains available to you for the entire duration of your policy term.

Vance Lee Managing Director, Risk Management

Jordan Zobel Director, New Partner Relations, Risk Technology & Analytics

James Lombard Regional Loss Control Manager

William Page Senior Risk Engineering Consultant

Chris Hardy Director, Group Captive Loss Control

Troy Koonsman Executive Vice President, Claims Operations

Trent Austin Director, Group Captive Claims

Chris Geise Director, Contract Review

Donna Dahlen Vice President, Claims Operations

Mark Michels Assistant Director, Claims – Private Client & Select

Penny Wolfe Assistant Director, Complex Claims

Kathy Bragg Pebley Senior Vice President, Coverage & Litigation

Texas Public Entity Insurance Market

The Texas public entity insurance market includes admitted carriers, surplus lines markets, and risk-sharing pools—including the TASB Risk Management Fund, Texas Political Subdivisions, Public Educators Association of Texas, Texans for Excellence in Education, and other cooperative purchasing vehicles available to ISDs. Higginbotham maintains relationships in all relevant markets, and evaluates both pool and traditional carrier options at every renewal to ensure Irving ISD receives the most competitive and comprehensive program available.

Regulatory and Compliance Awareness

Our team maintains current familiarity with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting ISD insurance programs, including:

• Texas Education Code requirements applicable to district risk management programs.

• Federal procurement rules applicable to federally funded contracts (2 CFR Part 200 / EDGAR).

• Texas Department of Insurance regulations governing admitted and surplus lines of carrier placement.

• Public information and record retention requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 552.

• Texas Education Agency reporting and compliance requirements affecting District operations.

Current Market Intelligence

Higginbotham publishes regular market intelligence reports and tracks rate trends, carrier capacity changes, and coverage developments across all commercial lines. For ISD clients specifically, we monitor:

• Property catastrophe market conditions and reinsurance treaty impacts on ISD property pricing.

• Liability market trends, particularly in abuse and molestation and public officials/EPLI lines.

• Workers' compensation frequency and severity trends in the Texas public sector.

• Cyber liability developments affecting school districts, including student data and ransomware exposure.

• Construction-related coverage issues affecting districts with active bond or capital improvement programs.

Professional Designations: Public Entity Team

Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)

Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU)

Certified Risk Manager (CRM)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Texas All-Lines Adjuster License (claims team)

Active continuing education in Texas TDI-required P&C and public entity coverage topics

Participation in Public School Organizations

Higginbotham maintains active, substantive participation in organizations dedicated to Texas public education and public sector risk management. This involvement keeps our team informed about the issues, resources, and developments that affect ISD clients—and the relationships formed through these organizations benefit our clients directly.

Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)

Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO)

Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)

Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB)

Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT)

Active participants in TASB resources, publications, and conferences relevant to ISD risk management. Direct familiarity with TASB Risk Management Fund programs, coverage structures, and competitive positioning relative to traditional carrier markets.

Engagement with TASA events and publications to remain current on administrative and operational challenges facing Texas ISD leadership.

Participation in TASBO resources relevant to procurement compliance, financial management, and risk management for Texas ISDs—directly applicable to RFQ and contract compliance requirements.

National organization focused on risk management best practices for governmental entities including school districts; provides benchmarking data and peer network access.

National membership providing market intelligence, legislative tracking, and industry best practices applicable to public entity P&C placement.

State-level professional association participation supporting regulatory awareness and continuing education requirements.

Higginbotham's involvement in these organizations is operational, not nominal. Our professionals attend conferences, engage with working groups, and apply knowledge gained directly to client engagements. For Irving ISD, this means your broker arrives informed—not just about general insurance markets, but about the specific environment in which Texas public school districts operate.

Proposed Approach and Implementation Plan

Higginbotham's approach to serving Irving ISD is built on four phases: Onboarding and Discovery, Market Management and Placement, Ongoing Program Management, and Annual Reporting. Each phase has defined activities, timelines, and deliverables—ensuring the District always knows what to expect and when.

Phase 1 Onboarding and Program Discovery

Objectives: Within the first 30 days of engagement, Higginbotham will complete a structured discovery process to build a comprehensive baseline of Irving ISD's risk exposures, existing coverages, loss history, and program objectives.

Key Activities — Days 1–30

• Kickoff meeting with District Risk Manager and key stakeholders to establish communication protocols, reporting preferences, and service priorities.

• Collect and review all current policy documents, endorsements, certificates of insurance, and loss runs (minimum five years).

• Complete a formal exposure inventory — property schedules, vehicle fleets, student enrollment, employee headcount, extracurricular activities, and third-party contracts.

• Identify coverage gaps, uninsured or underinsured exposures, and policy redundancies.

• Document contractual insurance requirements in vendor and contractor agreements to ensure counterparty compliance.

Deliverable: Program Assessment Report

At the conclusion of Phase 1, Higginbotham will present a written Program Assessment Report summarizing findings, coverage analysis, identified gaps, and initial recommendations for program improvements ahead of the first renewal cycle.

Phase 2

Market Management and Competitive Placement

Four-Step Placement Process

Marketing and Placement Methodology

Step 1: Specifications

Development

Develop detailed coverage specifications tailored to Irving ISD's exposure profile, addressing coverage forms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and District-specific requirements.

Step 2: Underwriting Submission

Prepare a comprehensive underwriting submission with loss summaries, exposure data, and program narrative. Submit to a curated panel of A-rated carriers and Texas public entity risk pools with demonstrated ISD expertise.

Step

3: Proposal Evaluation

Evaluate carrier proposals on a side-by-side basis across coverage breadth, form quality, exclusions, A.M. Best financial strength, claims service reputation, and total cost of risk—not premium alone.

Step

4: Recommendation and Binding

Present a written Placement Recommendation to the District with clear rationale. Upon District approval, bind coverage and conduct a line-by-line policy review against bound specifications prior to delivery of final documents.

Phase 3 Ongoing Program Management and Loss Control

Claims Management

Higginbotham serves as an active advocate for Irving ISD throughout the claims process—from first notice of loss through final resolution:

• Dedicated claims liaison assigned to the Irving ISD account.

• Assistance with timely and accurate loss reporting to carriers.

• Active monitoring of open claims to prevent delays or underpayment.

• Presentation of loss history to underwriters at renewal to support favorable pricing.

• Annual Claims Audit coordination, with final report delivered to the District Risk Manager.

Loss Control and Risk Management

• Carrier loss control resource coordination and site consultation facilitation.

• Trending and forecasting analysis to inform program design decisions.

• Premium allocation methodology support across District departments or campuses.

• Vendor and contractor certificate of insurance compliance monitoring.

Phase 4 Records Management and Annual Reporting

Higginbotham produces a structured Annual Program Report for Irving ISD each year, including:

• Schedule of all policies in force with carrier, limits, deductibles, and premiums.

• Five-year loss summary with trend analysis.

• Insurance market conditions and trends relevant to Texas public school P&C programs.

• Benchmarking comparison against peer ISD programs where data is available.

• Recommendations for program modifications, coverage enhancements, or risk mitigation initiatives.

All program records are maintained in a secure client portal accessible to authorized District personnel at any time.

Implementation Timeline

Phase 1 Onboarding and Program Discovery Days 1–30

Phase 2 Coverage Specifications Development Days 31–60

Phase 2 Market Submission and Carrier Outreach Days 61–90

Phase 2 Placement Recommendation and Binding

Phase 3 Ongoing Claims and Loss Control

Phase 4 Annual Program Report

Prior to Renewal Date

Kickoff meeting, policy/loss run collection, exposure inventory, Program Assessment Report

Draft specifications reviewed and approved by Risk Manager

Underwriting submission delivered; quotes received and evaluated

Written recommendation; District approval; coverage bound; policies verified and delivered

Continuous Claims reporting, advocacy, loss control coordination, Annual Claims Audit

Annually Full program report: policy schedule, loss summary, market trends, recommendations

Higginbotham is pleased to provide the following references from current or recent public entity clients. Irving ISD is encouraged to contact any or all of the references listed below.

Weatherford Independent School District

Alvarado Independent School District

Contact Name: Sharon Landrum Director of Purchasing

817-598-2801, ext. 3019 slandrum@weatherfordisd.net

Contact Name: Mark Ratcliff Assistant Superintendent

817-783-6807 markr@alvaradoisd.net

Tarrant County

Contact Name: Travis Yarbrough Assistant Director of Risk Management

817-884-2645 thyarbrough@tarrantcountytx.gov

Additional references are available upon request.

Disclosures and Certifications

The following disclosures and certifications are provided in connection with Higginbotham's response to Irving ISD RFQ No. 26-16-732.

Compensation Disclosure

Higginbotham is compensated for brokerage services through commissions paid by insurance carriers on premiums placed on behalf of clients, and/or through negotiated fee arrangements. Irving ISD may request a full disclosure of compensation arrangements applicable to this engagement. Higginbotham will provide complete transparency on all forms of compensation upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

Higginbotham is not aware of any conflict of interest with respect to this engagement. As an independent broker, Higginbotham maintains no carrier ownership interests that would compromise its ability to represent Irving ISD's interests objectively in the marketplace. The Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (Form CIQ) required by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 176 will be completed and submitted as part of the formal proposal package.

Debarment & Suspension

Higginbotham certifies that neither the firm nor any of its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in any federal or state program. Verification is available through the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.

Federal Compliance

Higginbotham certifies compliance with all applicable provisions of the EDGAR federal procurement requirements, including the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352), Buy America provisions, and record retention requirements under 2 CFR § 200.333.

Licensing

Higginbotham Insurance and all team members assigned to Irving ISD hold active Texas Department of Insurance licenses applicable to their respective roles. Certificates of licensure are available upon request.

E&O Insurance

Higginbotham maintains Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) insurance coverage in amounts appropriate to its size and scope of operations. Evidence of coverage will be provided upon request or upon contract award.

No Deviation

Higginbotham confirms full compliance with the Standard Terms and Conditions, Scope of Work, and all other requirements set forth in RFQ No. 26-16-732. No deviations are noted.

Signature of Authorized Representative

The undersigned authorized representative of Higginbotham Insurance hereby certifies that the information contained in this response is true and correct, and that Higginbotham is prepared to execute a contract consistent with the terms of this RFQ.

Signature: _________________________

Printed Name: Brian Schnieder

Title: Managing Director, Commercial Lines

Company: Higginbotham Insurance

Address: 500 W. 13th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102

3/26/2026

Date: ___________

Note: All required EDGAR compliance forms, conflict of interest questionnaires, and certifications will be completed and submitted as part of the formal proposal package via the Irving ISD eBid System.

Scope of Services

Identification and Measurement of Exposures to Loss

1. Assist in the identification and evaluation of risk exposures faced by the District.

Confirmed. Higginbotham delivers a structured, 360-degree exposure analysis across property, cyber, and fleet. This includes building-level validation for a large, multi-campus property schedule—with emphasis on aging infrastructure, roof condition, and fire protection considerations that materially influence underwriting. Fleet exposures are segmented to address frequency drivers tied to transportation operations, including vehicle valuation accuracy and driver performance trends.

2. Become familiar with the District’s current insurance and risk programs.

Confirmed. Higginbotham approaches this responsibility via a hands-on discovery process that goes well beyond policy review. Through our Operational Risk Review (ORR) methodology, we align Irving ISD’s day-to-day operations, multi-campus property exposures, transportation activity, and claims experience into a clear, actionable risk profile that supports both underwriting strategy and long-term financial stability. This includes a detailed evaluation of current pool participation, deductible structures, and coverage alignment to ensure the program reflects how the District actually operates—not just how it is currently insured.

From the outset, we conduct a disciplined review of the District’s full risk ecosystem—including property scheduling and valuation accuracy across a large, multi-campus portfolio, fleet and transportation exposures tied to student operations, workforce and payroll drivers impacting workers, compensation, and cyber/data privacy considerations tied to a 3,000+ employee environment. We also assess administrative workflows to support a centralized risk management function, ensuring our team operates as a true extension of staff. The outcome is a fully validated program baseline, supported by data intelligence, that positions Irving ISD for stronger underwriting results, improved internal coordination, and more predictable total cost of risk.

3. Develop an understanding of past, present and future risk management issues facing the District and how these affect the District’s insurance buying decisions.

Confirmed. Multi-year loss analysis is used to clearly separate catastrophe-driven property losses from underlying performance, allowing the District’s strong baseline risk quality to be accurately presented to the market. Favorable post-event years are leveraged in underwriting narratives, while ongoing trends such as transportation frequency and cyber exposure are proactively addressed through targeted risk control and coverage strategies.

Our approach also connects operational realities to financial outcomes. We incorporate property resilience considerations for a large, aging facility portfolio, evaluate fleet performance and driver behavior trends, and assess cyber readiness relative to district size and prior activity. These insights directly inform decisions around deductible strategy, limit adequacy, and market selection—ensuring the District’s program remains stable, defensible, and aligned with both budget expectations and long-term risk tolerance.

Develop Insurance Requirements

1. Develop insurance and/or service requirements for insurance and/or associated services procurement.

Confirmed. Insurance requirements are structured to reflect Irving ISD’s scale, complexity, and risk tolerance. This includes defining coverage specifications that address property capacity, deductible strategy, fleet exposures, and liability protections—while maintaining flexibility to evaluate both pooled and traditional structures. Each requirement is built to drive meaningful carrier competition while ensuring consistency in coverage terms, allowing the District to evaluate options on an equal and informed basis.

2. Provide professional expertise and guidance regarding counterparty contractual insurance and indemnification requirements as needed.

Confirmed. Irving ISD benefits from dedicated contract review and risk transfer expertise supported by legal and risk management subject matter experts (SMEs). This includes:

• Identifying deficiencies in indemnity and insurance provisions that could create uninsured or unintended exposure based on statutory requirements.

• Reviewing vendor, contractor, and partner agreements to validate insurance requirements and applicability to scope of work.

• Resolving conflicts between indemnity intent and actual coverage triggers to ensure enforceability at the time of loss.

• Recommending enhancements to policy language, limits, and additional insured requirements to align with the District’s risk tolerance.

• Evaluating certificates of insurance and endorsements for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contractual standards.

• Identifying non-compliant or outdated requirements that may violate state statutes or public entity protections.

• Structuring risk allocation strategies for complex or high-exposure agreements, including construction, transportation, and service contracts.

The result is consistent risk transfer, improved compliance, and reduced third-party liability exposure across all District operations.

Marketing

1. Organize the presentation of the insurance program and other exposures to the appropriate markets.

Confirmed. Irving ISD is guided through a highly structured, data-driven submission that highlights risk quality, operational controls, and favorable loss trends—while properly contextualizing catastrophe-driven years. A defined marketing timeline ensures sufficient lead time for exposure validation, strategy refinement, and targeted carrier engagement. Short-listed carriers are evaluated through benchmarking, which reviews coverage, pricing, and long-term partnership value—resulting in clear, decision-ready recommendations for the District.

2. Evaluate insurance options for financial stability.

Confirmed. All options are evaluated through a multi-tiered framework that includes financial strength ratings, claims-paying ability, public sector experience, and long-term market stability. This ensures selected carriers can perform reliably through both routine and catastrophic loss scenarios.

3. Issue solicitations to meet the District’s requirements.

Confirmed. We work with a wide array of carriers and multiple TPAs specializing in public sector coverage. Our team understands the unique exposures faced by the District, including liability for public safety, education risks, infrastructure projects, and employment practices.

As part of our marketing approach, we will ensure:

• Benchmarking Against Peer Districts: Validation of pricing, limits, and structure against comparable Texas ISDs to confirm competitiveness.

• Carrier Outreach and Pre-Market Analysis: Targeted engagement with underwriters experienced in large, multi-campus property schedules and school transportation programs.

• Risk Presentation Development: Data-supported submission highlighting property characteristics, post-CAT loss performance, and proactive loss control efforts.

• Coverage and Terms Negotiation: Focus on broadening coverage, optimizing deductibles including weather buy-down considerations, and securing favorable endorsements.

Competitively Solicit Insurance Coverage/Negotiate Pricing

1. Determine the policies most advantageous to the District’s needs in terms of exposure coverage, policy form, exclusions, deductibles, and coordination with other policies, overall costs and other relevant factors.

Confirmed. After a thorough review of Irving ISD’s exposures and discussion with the District’s management on current and future operations, the District receives an evaluation of all viable program options, including pooled and traditional market solutions. Coverage is analyzed across policy form, exclusions, limits, and deductible structure to ensure alignment with actual exposures and financial objectives.

Where advantageous, manuscript or packaged program structures are explored to broaden coverage and improve efficiency. Final recommendations are supported by detailed financial modeling, risk analytics, and claims impact projections, ensuring decisions are based on long-term value, not just premium.

2. Assist the District’s Staff in gathering the necessary underwriting and claims data, prepare specifications, recommend qualified agents, insurance companies and risk pools, oversee the solicitation process, evaluate proposals and upon completion of the solicitation process, review insurance policies to ensure they meet the terms of the specifications.

Confirmed. Higginbotham's methodology for selecting the best policy limits, deductibles, coverages, and the issuing of companies is extensive, which is why we take all aspects into account to ensure Irving ISD is accurately represented and optimally positioned in the marketplace.

Step One: Historical Plan Review

Conduct a rigorous review of the District's current plans, networks, and risks. This includes:

• Reviewing policies, endorsements, loss history, and claims reserving practices.

• Identifying coverage gaps, limit adequacy concerns, and risk transfer inefficiencies.

• Conducting on-site evaluations of facilities, transportation operations, and infrastructure.

• Analyzing prior marketing efforts and negotiating improvements.

• Benchmarking against comparable ISDs and public entities to assess competitiveness and structure.

Step Two: Customized Solution Development

After the initial review, our experts will develop tailored recommendations, including:

• Market Trend Analysis and Projections: Forward-looking projections (property CAT, cyber, liability).

• Strategic Insurance Structuring: Identifying optimal policy limits, deductibles, and retention levels aligned with budget and risk tolerance.

• Competitive Quote Solicitation: Engaging top carriers, including standard and excess/surplus markets where appropriate.

• Cost Containment and Premium Reduction Strategies: Implementing financial measures that include deductible modeling and program optimization.

Step Three: Implementation and Ongoing Management

Once the ideal coverage structure is selected, Higginbotham will:

• Bind and administer policies with full verification of forms, endorsements, and compliance with specifications.

• Ongoing claims oversight and coordination with loss control to reduce frequency and severity.

• Renewal strategy development with early market engagement and negotiation leverage.

• Continuous communication with District leadership on program performance, financial impact, and market changes.

• Support contract reviews and vendor compliance to ensure alignment with overall risk management strategy.

Policy Language, Rates and Premiums

1. Responsible for review and verification of policy language, checking for accuracy, appropriate form and compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements.

Confirmed. As part of our renewal process, Irving ISD benefits from a line-by-line coverage review to ensure policies perform as intended at the time of loss, not just at placement. Policy forms, endorsements, and exclusions are evaluated against operational exposures, contractual obligations, and public entity requirements to eliminate gaps and ambiguity. This includes:

• Verification that manuscript and standard forms align with district-specific exposures such as multi-campus property, transportation, and student-related liability.

• Identification of restrictive endorsements, sublimits, or exclusions that may impact recovery in real-world scenarios.

• Alignment of policy language with contractual indemnity obligations to avoid coverage disputes.

• Review of compliance with state statutes and public entity protections.

• Coordination across all policies to eliminate overlap, gaps, or conflicting coverage triggers.

2. Responsible for review and verification of policy rates and premiums to ensure accuracy and appropriate form.

Confirmed. Our team validates all premium calculations, ensuring contributions accurately reflect exposures, payroll, fleet values, and rating methodologies. This is especially critical for a district with a large payroll base, complex fleet, and property schedule.

For Irving ISD, this means full transparency that includes:

• Pre-audit validation of rating inputs such as payroll classifications, vehicle schedules, and property values.

• Detailed review of carrier rating models, experience modifiers, and applied credits or debits.

• Submission of complete audit documentation to support accurate reconciliation and avoid overstatement.

• Post-audit negotiation to correct discrepancies and secure appropriate adjustments.

• Ongoing monitoring of contribution trends to identify anomalies or cost drivers.

Client Success: An Independent School District of similar caliber to Irving ISD reduced auditrelated premium adjustments by 15% year-over-year—due to our proactive data preparation and audit negotiation—enhancing cash flow predictability.

Loss Control and Risk Management

1. Assist in the proper management of information regarding losses.

Confirmed. Irving ISD receives structured claims data management supported by advanced analytics and dedicated claims oversight. Loss information is not only tracked but translated into actionable insights that drive short-term and long-term decision-making.

Our team proactively monitors claims trends, conducts in-depth audits, and facilitates faster resolution through hands-on advocacy that includes, but is not limited to:

• Centralized claims reporting and data integrity validation across all lines.

• Real-time oversight of claim activity, reserve development, and closure timelines.

• Loss stratification to identify frequency drivers, such as fleet incidents or location-specific trends.

• Integration of benchmarking tools to compare performance against peer districts.

• Development of actionable reporting that supports leadership visibility and accountability.

2. Be responsible for preparation and presentation of losses to the underwriter(s) and assist the District in processing insurance claims.

Confirmed. Higginbotham maintains a dedicated in-house Claims Advocacy Unit, staffed with licensed claims professionals, former carrier adjusters, and public entity risk specialists who understand the unique operational and reputational considerations of a large, multi-campus school district like Irving ISD. Our team remains actively engaged from first notice of loss (FNOL) through final resolution, ensuring claims are handled efficiently while loss data is strategically prepared and presented to underwriters to protect the District’s risk profile.

First Notice of Loss (FNOL)

Active Claim Management

• 24/7 FNOL Reporting Access via Higginbotham Claims Portal or direct advocate contact.

• Immediate triage, coverage verification, and assignment to appropriate carrier resources.

• Early identification of subrogation, liability transfer, and cost recovery opportunities.

• Coordination with campus administration, facilities, transportation, or risk management staff depending on incident type.

• Direct adjuster engagement with defined service expectations and performance monitoring.

• Reserve analysis and escalation when development trends exceed expectations or benchmarks.

• Coverage interpretation support, particularly during reservation-of-rights or complex liability scenarios.

• Ongoing communication with District stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.

• Coordination with legal counsel and third-party administrators when required.

Complex Loss Management

• Applicable to large property losses, student or third-party injury allegations, transportation incidents, or employment-related claims.

• Rapid escalation to senior claims leadership and subject matter experts.

• Structured root cause analysis to identify contributing factors and prevent recurrence.

• Strategy sessions with District leadership to align on financial, operational, and reputational considerations.

• Oversight of forensic consultants, engineers, or other experts as needed.

• Sensitive coordination for incidents involving students, staff, or community impact.

Routine/HighFrequency Claims

(e.g., minor property damage, auto incidents, slip/ fall)

Catastrophic/ Severity-Driven Events

(e.g., wind/hail property losses, large liability claims, fatalities)

• Streamlined FNOL intake and rapid assignment to reduce lag time and claim duration.

• Early-stage intervention to control costs and identify recovery opportunities.

• Ongoing adjuster communication to ensure timely closure and minimize reserve inflation.

• Trend tracking to identify recurring issues across campuses, fleet operations, or facilities.

• Immediate response coordination, including carrier mobilization and field adjuster deployment.

• On-site or virtual support aligned with District emergency response protocols.

• Detailed loss documentation and narrative development to support coverage and recovery.

• Strategic claims management planning, including reserve strategy, subrogation potential, and litigation preparedness.

• Integration with broader recovery efforts to minimize operational disruption across campuses.

Higginbotham’s claims unit integrates regulatory awareness, record-keeping compliance, public entity liability considerations, carrier adjuster escalation pathways, and third-party claim mitigation strategie ensuring both cost containment and brand reputation preservation for Irving ISD.

Reporting Claims Inquiries

24/7: 844-857-5899

Weekdays: reportaclaim@higginbotham.com

During Business Hours: 844-857-5899

Weekdays: claims@higginbotham.com

Risk Management Requests Contract Review Requests

During Business Hours: management@higginbotham.com

During Business Hours: contractreview@higginbotham.com

3. Support the District with resources for trending, forecasting and premium calculation and allocation.

Confirmed. Performance reviews are data-driven, powered by forecasting tools and structured performance reviews that connect loss activity to financial outcomes and future pricing. Reviews include:

• Semi-annual and renewal-based stewardship reviews aligned with program milestones.

• KPI tracking across claims frequency, severity, and closure rates.

• Forecasting models that project loss development and potential premium impact.

• Allocation modeling to support internal budgeting across campuses and departments.

• Strategic planning tied to market conditions and renewal timing.

4. Selected firm shall arrange for and coordinate annual Claims Audit for the Irving ISD, scope of services to be agreed upon by selected firm and District.

Confirmed. Annual claims audits are coordinated to evaluate adjuster performance, reserving accuracy, and overall claims handling effectiveness. The scope is tailored to Irving ISD’s program, with emphasis on high-impact claims and systemic trends that influence cost and outcomes.

5. Final reports resulting from this audit shall be provided to the District’s Risk Manager.

Confirmed. A highly detailed, executive-level audit report that goes beyond findings is provided for both operational and leadership audiences to ensure alignment across the District. Each report is tailored to the Risk Manager’s preference and offers some of the following:

• Summarized findings, trends, reserving accuracy, and claims handling performance.

• Prioritized action plan with clear ownership, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

• In-person presentation with working sessions to align on implementation strategy.

• Executive-level snapshots prepared for senior leadership, including CFO and Superintendent, focused on financial impact and risk trends.

• Optional presentation support for Board or committee-level discussions, translating technical findings into clear, decision-ready insights.

• Integration of audit results into ongoing stewardship reporting, ensuring accountability and tracking progress throughout the policy period.

• Alignment with department leaders such as transportation and facilities where loss drivers are concentrated, reinforcing operational accountability.

6. Loss Control Consultation services.

Confirmed. Our approach is a 360-degree risk solution that integrates loss control, safety, compliance, and operational practices—specifically tailored to public entity and school district exposures. Services are led by loss control specialists and supported by data intelligence to proactively reduce frequency and severity of losses.

• Property and Catastrophe Risk Engineering: Targeted assessments of campuses and facilities focusing on fire protection, roof condition, water intrusion, and natural hazard exposures. Includes business continuity and disaster response planning to minimize downtime following CAT events.

• Fleet and Transportation Safety: Specialized programming for school transportation operations including driver training, MVR monitoring, route and stop analysis, and telematics integration to address high-frequency auto losses and improve driver performance.

• On-Site Risk Assessments and Scorecards: Routine site visits with standardized scoring methodology to identify, quantify, and prioritize key loss drivers across campuses, maintenance, and ancillary operations.

• Data-Driven Loss Control Strategy: Integration of claims analytics to pinpoint trends (e.g., slip/falls, auto incidents, weather-related losses) and deploy targeted interventions aligned with the District’s highest cost drivers.

• OSHA and Regulatory Compliance: Ongoing support including mock audits, written safety program development, training documentation, and guidance to ensure compliance across facilities, transportation, and maintenance operations.

• Workforce Training and Engagement: In-person and virtual training programs tailored to staff roles (transportation, facilities, administration), reinforcing accountability and creating a culture of safety across the District.

• Claims Integration and Post-Loss Response: Seamless coordination with claims advocacy to ensure incidents are reported promptly, root causes are identified, and corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence. Catastrophic event response protocols are also established in advance.

• Technology and Risk Management Tools: Access to platforms for incident tracking, safety training, compliance management, and certificate tracking—providing real-time visibility into risk performance and operational compliance.

• Continuous Improvement Model: Ongoing monitoring, benchmarking against peer districts, and adjustment of loss control strategies to ensure measurable improvement in loss experience and total cost of risk over time.

7. Claims management services.

Confirmed. Claims advocacy is a core in-house, not outsourced service through which Irving ISD gains a partner who not only manages claims, but also actively protects the District’s position, accelerates resolution, and reduces total cost of risk (TCOR) through hands-on involvement and data intelligence.

• Dedicated Claims Team: Line-specific specialists (property, liability, auto) providing continuity, accountability, and direct access.

• Carrier Advocacy and Escalation: Active negotiation with adjusters and carriers to challenge reserves, coverage interpretations, and settlement timelines.

• Complex and Catastrophic Loss Expertise: Coordinated response for CAT events (hail, freeze, storm), including on-site support, vendor coordination, and recovery strategy.

• Proactive Reserve and Litigation Management: Ongoing review of claim reserves and legal involvement to prevent over-reserving and unnecessary expense.

• Claims Reviews and Trend Analysis: Structured quarterly/semi-annual reviews leveraging data analytics to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

• 24/7 First Notice of Loss (FNOL) Support: Immediate reporting protocols to ensure proper claim setup and faster adjuster assignment.

• Subrogation and Recovery Tracking: Identification and pursuit of recovery opportunities to return dollars back to the District.

• Claims Technology and Data Integration: Real-time dashboards tracking claim status, financials, and KPIs aligned with the District’s risk profile.

Maintain Records

1. Responsible for keeping complete, well-organized records.

Confirmed. All Irving ISD records are maintained within safeguarded and security-encrypted, centralized systems designed for transparency, audit readiness, and ease of access across District stakeholders. Policies, endorsements, certificates, and claims documentation are organized with strict data governance standards—including role-based access, version control, and audit trails to ensure accuracy and data integrity at all times.

Our platforms also integrate policy, claims, and analytics data to provide a consistent, real-time view of the District’s risk profile. This allows for efficient certificate tracking and vendor compliance monitoring, while ensuring records are readily accessible to support audits, board-level reporting, and public information requests without disruption.

2. Produce consolidated annual report which includes a schedule of policies in force, premiums, losses, insurance market developments and trends related to property insurance coverage and recommended changes to District’s procedures regarding the insurance program.

Confirmed. Irving ISD is provided a consolidated annual report that is designed to function as both a detailed retrospective and a forward-looking strategic planning tool. Built from our data intelligence platform and stewardship process, the report translates complex insurance and risk data into clear, actionable insights for District leadership, finance teams, and Board-level stakeholders.

District reports are inclusive and not limited to:

• Program Overview: Complete schedule of policies, including limits, deductibles, carriers, and premiums across all lines.

• Loss Analytics: Multi-year trending with root cause analysis, reserve development insights, and total cost of risk (TCOR) impact.

• Benchmarking: Comparative analysis against peer ISDs and public entities to validate competitiveness and identify opportunities.

• Market Intelligence: Property and broader P&C market updates, including CAT capacity, valuation pressures, and underwriting trends.

• Strategic Recommendations: Guidance on program structure, deductible optimization, coverage enhancements, and alternative risk strategies.

• Operational Improvements: Identification of procedural enhancements across claims handling, safety programs, and contract risk transfer.

• Executive Reporting: Board-ready summaries with clear financial implications, key risk indicators, and decision points.

• Stewardship Integration: Formal presentation during annual stewardship and planning meetings, with progress tracking and alignment on renewal strategy.

Familiarity with Applicable Laws, Regulations and Policies

1. Must maintain familiarity with, and compliance of, all Federal, State, Local and District laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and polices that in any manner affect the District’s property insurance policies and program. Ignorance on the part of the brokerage firm or its assigned staff will not relieve the brokerage firm of its responsibility. .

Confirmed. Higginbotham maintains continuous, proactive alignment with all regulatory and statutory requirements impacting public entities and Texas school districts—ensuring Irving ISD’s insurance program remains compliant, defensible, and aligned with evolving legal expectations year-round. Our approach integrates real-time regulatory awareness directly into policy review, claims handling, contract risk transfer practices, along with the following:

• Regulatory Monitoring: Ongoing tracking of Texas Education Agency (TEA), legislative updates, and regulatory changes impacting coverage, funding, and risk financing.

• Policy and Form Compliance: Detailed review of policy language and endorsements to ensure alignment with state statutes and public entity protections.

• Governmental Immunity Considerations: Guidance on how liability coverages interact with statutory limitations and protections afforded to ISDs.

• Contractual Risk Transfer Alignment: Review of indemnification and insurance requirements to ensure enforceability under Texas law.

• Legal Coordination: Collaboration with District counsel and internal stakeholders when regulatory interpretation affects claims, coverage, or program structure.

• Proactive Communication: Clear, timely updates to District leadership outlining regulatory changes and their operational or financial implications.