7 companies seek contract to salvage MNsure

Seven companies are vying to oversee efforts to salvage MNsure, Minnesota's troubled online health insurance marketplace.

The two-year prime vendor contract requires the winning bidder to ensure MNsure meets deadlines, stays within budget, and meets quality benchmarks.

In mid-January, an independent report by Optum found serious problems with MNsure's operations ranging from "non-existent" management to a "large gap" between its required functions and what was delivered. Optum did not submit a bid to serve as MNsure's lead vendor.

Bidders include Edina-based Cognizant Technology Solutions and New York-based, Deloitte, which was Minnesota's original choice to build MNsure. The state went with Maximus instead partly because Deloitte's bid came in $20 million over budget. There's no word yet on when MNsure will announce its choice.

Here are the companies seeking the contract:

• Edina-based Cognizant Technology Solutions
• Cognosante LLC of Scottsdale, Arizona
• New York-based Deloitte
• Florida-based EngagePoint, which already is a MNsure vendor
• Infosys Public Services of Maryland
• KPMG, LLP of New York
• Atlanta-based North Highland