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Occupational Health Provider RFP Checklist

Choose a Provider for Your Workforce, Not Just the Nearest Clinic

Selecting an occupational health vendor affects far more than where employees go for a physical or drug test. The provider may become part of injury response, workforce mobilization, medical surveillance, DOT testing, work-status communication, remote-project support, and employer reporting. A useful occupational health provider RFP should therefore evaluate whether a vendor can support the workforce and regulatory programs the employer actually operates.

For employers in Louisiana and organizations managing employees across multiple locations, the evaluation should account for both local access and broader operational coverage. Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine currently provides clinic-based occupational health services along with mobile and on-site capabilities, network-supported scheduling, and employer-facing digital tools. This article explains how EHS, HR, operations, and procurement teams can build a consistent vendor evaluation without treating clinic proximity as the only deciding factor.

Define the Workforce Requirements Before Sending the RFP

A strong occupational health provider RFP begins with the employer’s requirements, not a generic list of medical services.

Before contacting vendors, document:

The goal is to create an occupational health vendor evaluation based on actual use cases. A vendor located five minutes from headquarters may be a poor operational fit if most employees work at remote projects or require services the clinic cannot provide.

Evaluate Clinical Scope and Regulatory Program Support

An occupational medicine provider checklist should ask vendors to identify exactly which services they perform themselves, which are handled through partners, and which require referral.

For example, Gulf Coast’s current occupational health services page lists workplace injury care, physical examinations, pulmonary function testing, respirator fit testing, vision and hearing testing, drug and alcohol testing, X-ray, EKG, laboratory services, mobile care, and on-site services.

For regulated services, do not accept a broad statement such as “we handle compliance.” Ask the vendor to explain how each applicable program is administered.

DOT-regulated employers are a good example. Current 49 CFR Part 40 allows employers to use qualified service agents, but the employer remains responsible for meeting applicable DOT requirements and for ensuring service agents are qualified. DOT and non-DOT testing also must remain separate.

Respiratory programs provide another example. OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard requires medical evaluation before required respirator use and specifies confidentiality and the limited information included in the PLHCP’s written recommendation. An RFP should determine whether the provider understands both the clinical service and the required information flow.

Test Geographic Coverage, Mobile Capability, and After-Hours Response

An employer with multiple facilities should ask more than, “Where are your clinics?”

Request a coverage map showing owned clinics, affiliated clinics, mobile service areas, remote scheduling processes, and escalation contacts.

Gulf Coast currently lists Louisiana locations in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Geismar, Addis, Walker, Reserve, and an appointment-only contractor location in Plaquemine. Its current location page also lists additional NuREADY and Business Health Partners markets and describes mobile occupational health deployment throughout the United States. Review current Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine locations.

Employers comparing delivery models can also review GCOM’s mobile versus clinic occupational health comparison when deciding whether the RFP should require one model or a combination.

For after-hours support, require vendors to distinguish among physical clinic hours, call-out services, telehealth, mobile response, and emergency escalation. Do not treat “24/7 support” as automatically meaning every physical clinic operates around the clock.

Evaluate Reporting, Technology, Communication, and Privacy

Employer reporting often separates an adequate provider from an operationally useful one.

Ask vendors to demonstrate:

Gulf Coast’s current website describes an integrated electronic platform with employer access to testing histories, compliance status, training information, and customizable dashboard permissions, along with coordination across clinic and mobile services.

Privacy questions should be specific rather than relying on the phrase “HIPAA compliant.” Different occupational records can be governed by different rules. EEOC guidance, for example, addresses confidentiality of employment-related medical information and circumstances in which medical examinations may be permitted. Review EEOC medical examination guidance.

Planning an Occupational Health Vendor Evaluation?

If your organization is preparing an occupational health services RFP, Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine can discuss clinic-based, mobile, on-site, testing, examination, surveillance, and workforce-management capabilities so your procurement team can determine whether those services match the scope you are building.

Occupational Health Provider RFP Checklist

Occupational Health Provider RFP Checklist

Use a Weighted RFP Scoring Matrix

A simple scoring model helps HR, EHS, operations, and procurement teams compare providers using the same criteria.

The following is an illustrative starting point. Employers should adjust the weighting to match their workforce.

Occupational Health Provider Scoring Matrix

Score each category from 1 to 5, then multiply the score by the assigned weight. A scoring matrix prevents one attractive price or nearby clinic from overshadowing critical service gaps.

Compare Pricing as a Complete Service Model

Price comparisons should use the same assumptions for every vendor.

Request pricing for routine examinations, drug and alcohol testing, diagnostics, medical surveillance, mobile deployment, travel, after-hours service, specialty referrals, account administration, portal access, cancellations, and project-specific staffing where applicable.

Also ask what is excluded.

A lower per-test price may not represent the lowest operational cost if an employer must coordinate multiple vendors, manually reconcile reports, or send employees long distances for services outside the vendor’s scope. This does not mean the broadest provider is automatically the right choice. It means pricing should be evaluated alongside actual workforce requirements.

GCOM’s existing workforce health management resource provides additional context for employers considering how separate occupational health functions fit into a broader workforce program.

Comparing Providers for an Industrial Contractor

A Baton Rouge industrial contractor employs 75 year-round workers but regularly mobilizes additional crews to projects outside Louisiana.

Its requirements include workplace injury care, drug and alcohol testing, respiratory evaluations, physical examinations, mobile screening during major mobilizations, and centralized employer reporting.

Provider A has a clinic close to headquarters but limited mobile capability and requires the employer to arrange several out-of-area services separately.

Provider B is slightly farther from headquarters but can support the required clinical scope, mobile screenings, centralized coordination, and remote-project scheduling.

The correct choice is not automatically Provider B. The employer should score both providers against the same RFP matrix, validate capabilities, compare pricing, review implementation plans, and determine which model best fits its workforce.

That is the purpose of an employer medical provider selection process: choosing based on operational requirements rather than a single convenience factor.

Build Your RFP Around the Workforce You Actually Have

A useful occupational health provider RFP should test clinical capability, geographic access, mobile support, regulatory-program experience, communication, reporting, privacy, project scalability, and total pricing.

Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine currently provides employer-focused occupational health services through Louisiana clinics, mobile and on-site operations, network-supported scheduling, testing, regulatory examinations, medical surveillance, injury care, diagnostics, and employer reporting tools. Availability and project-specific requirements should always be confirmed before contracting.

Call Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine at (225) 753-7233 to discuss your workforce requirements, occupational health program, or upcoming vendor evaluation. The number is currently listed on Gulf Coast’s Locations and Contact pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an occupational health RFP include?

It should define required services, locations, employee populations, regulatory programs, mobile needs, after-hours expectations, reporting, technology, confidentiality, account management, implementation, and pricing.

Should employers choose the closest occupational health provider?

Not necessarily. Clinic proximity matters, but employers should also evaluate service scope, remote coverage, mobile capabilities, reporting, regulatory-program support, and the locations where employees actually work.

How should employers evaluate occupational health reporting?

Ask vendors to demonstrate dashboards, access controls, work-status reporting, testing workflows, escalation procedures, data exports, and service-specific reporting expectations. Avoid relying only on generic claims about “fast results.”

Can an occupational health vendor take responsibility for an employer’s regulatory compliance?

A provider can support required medical and testing programs, but employers should not treat vendor selection as transferring all regulatory responsibility. For example, DOT Part 40 specifically states that employers remain responsible for applicable requirements even when qualified service agents are used.

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Promoting Workplace Safety and Family Wellness

Cade Brown

As the Director of Logistics at Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine, Cade Brown plays a vital leadership role in the delivery of occupational health services directly where they are needed—at job sites, events, and workplaces throughout the region. He is the logistical backbone of our mobile clinic program, ensuring seamless care from planning through execution.

Cade provides the critical link between Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine’s clinical and operational arms. By overseeing on-site clinic execution and logistics, he empowers the organization to deliver high-quality, responsive occupational health services. His role ensures that whether on the job or at headquarters, employees and employers can rely on Gulf Coast’s rapid deployment, clinical readiness, and seamless access to expert consultation—24 hours a day.

Justin Hartung, PA-C

Justin serves as the Clinical Medical Director where he plays a key leadership role in advancing clinical excellence, compliance, and patient care delivery across Gulf Coast’s network.

As a certified Physician Assistant with extensive experience in occupational and industrial medicine, Justin specializes in workforce health management, injury care, regulatory exams, and return-to-work strategies. He brings deep expertise in DOT physicals, OSHA compliance, workplace injury protocols, and health surveillance programs that support some of the Gulf Coast’s largest construction, manufacturing, and petrochemical operations.

Known for his hands-on approach and commitment to both patient care and operational efficiency, Justin’s leadership supports Gulf Coast’s mission to deliver responsive, reliable, and results-driven occupational health services that keep our industry’s workforce safe, healthy, and ready to perform.

His secondary talent in all things software have been a driving force towards the automation and streamlining of our client interactions and result delivery.  His loyalty knows no bounds as evidenced by his longevity at Gulf Coast and his obvious success as the father of an amazing daughter. In his home and work life, Justin wears many hats. His exuberance for life is contagious. As a proud girl dad, he is constantly planning his next adventure which will likely include amusement parks, running, and all things outdoors.

Jolee Comeaux

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As the Accounts Receivable Manager at Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine, Jolee plays a vital role in maintaining the financial health and operational efficiency of the organization. Based in Baton Rouge, she skillfully oversees invoicing, billing, and account reconciliation—ensuring seamless financial processes for both clients and internal teams.

With a keen eye for detail and strong analytical skills, Jolee manages client accounts with accuracy and professionalism, helping businesses across the Gulf Coast maintain clarity and confidence in their occupational health expenditures. Her ability to streamline financial workflows ensures prompt payments, transparent reporting, and strengthened client trust.

Committed, dependable, and responsive, Jolee is a trusted partner to the clinical and operations teams, enabling Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine to deliver top-tier care without financial friction. Her dedication helps the company focus on what it does best: supporting healthy, productive workforces.

Jolee is truly the face of Gulf Coast. She greets every client with a genuine smile and warm regard, making each person feel valued from the moment they walk through the door. Her deep care extends not only to our clients but also to her coworkers, who have become her family over the years. We are incredibly blessed to have her knowledge, professionalism, and character as part of our team.

Mary Jones

Since making her home at Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine, Mary has quickly distinguished herself as a dependable leader in managing clinic operations and client-facing services. In her role as the Director of Network Services, Mary coordinates administrative teams, oversees scheduling, clinic vetting and locating, and resource allocation while ensuring smooth integration between out of area clinics and centralized operations.

Drawing on previous experience in healthcare administration, she's known for her organizational prowess, problem-solving skills, and dedication to driving both efficiency and service quality. Whether coordinating staffing logistics or liaising with clients, Mary’s attention to detail and proactive communication helps maintain Gulf Coast’s high standards of timely, reliable care.

Based in the heart of the Gulf Coast region, Mary’s collaborative approach strengthens partnerships with clients and supports seamless clinic delivery—even for short-notice or remote-site requests. Her commitment to operational excellence has quickly made her an invaluable asset, aligning with Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine’s mission to keep industries safe, compliant, and workforce ready.

Outside of her professional life, Mary enjoys traveling to new places and spending time by the pool with her family. She is a proud mother and “Mimi” who cherishes every opportunity to make lasting memories with her children and grandchildren.

Jamie Smith, RTR

Celebrating many years of dedicated service at Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine, Jamie brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to workplace health and safety. As a registered Radiologic Technologist (RT), Jamie specializes in occupational imaging—including chest X‑rays, musculoskeletal diagnostics, and pulmonary screenings—that are essential for compliance, injury management, and preventive care on the jobsite.

Jamie works seamlessly to ensure the highest level of clinical care is delivered in all Gulf Coast locations in her role as Director of Clinical Services, delivering vital diagnostic services directly where employees need them most. Her steady professionalism and technical skill help ensure fast, accurate results that keep employees at work and healthy.

Beyond imaging, Jamie is known for her attention to detail, and genuine rapport with clients and colleagues alike. Her long-standing commitment to Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine reflects the company’s core values of reliability, expertise, and compassionate care.

In her off time, you can find her cheering on her all-star at ballparks across the south.  She is a loving daughter, wife, mother, and sister to those who are blessed to call her family.

Whitney Marchand

Whitney Marchand brings passion and precision to her role as the Director of Client Services at Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine. She is a proud team member of this locally owned and operated clinic, which has been serving the region since 1998.

In her position, Whitney leads the coordination of client relationships and operational logistics, ensuring each job site receives seamless, efficient on-site occupational health services. Her leadership was especially evident during the recent expansion to Geismar, where she played a key role in organizing the ribbon-cutting event—celebrated by the Ascension Chamber of Commerce and the broader community.

Whitney is deeply committed to workforce safety and community wellbeing. She is passionate about protecting workers, which she refers to as the “lifeline to success and community.” 

Her hands-on approach and dedication to both clients and clinical teams reflect Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine’s mission: providing exceptional, accessible care that ensures businesses run smoothly and employees stay safe.

Danielle Cowan

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Danielle is the engine behind daily operations at Gulf Coast, bringing precision, heart, and hustle to every shift. As the Director of Operations, she ensures that every aspect of Gulf Coast’s operations runs seamlessly—from staffing and scheduling to logistics and client coordination.

Passionate about operational excellence, Danielle is the calm in the chaos—keeping schedules aligned, teams ready, and clients confident. Her leadership style is both collaborative and hands-on, working side by side with clinical, administrative, and executive teams to ensure every moving part supports Gulf Coast’s mission.

With a strong background in administrative and clinical coordination, Danielle excels at aligning workforce health services to meet the demanding schedules of industrial and field-based clients. She ensures that Gulf Coast delivers reliable, flexible, and efficient service. Her client-centric mindset translates operational precision into real-world impact.

When she’s not managing the organized chaos of daily operations, Danielle can be found passionately cheering on her favorite teams with the knowledge of a coach, soaking up the sun and sand, and fiercely loving and supporting her talented, beautiful daughter.

Sarah Taylor

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With over 25 years of dedicated experience in occupational medicine and industrial health and safety, Sarah Taylor is the driving force behind Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine. A registered nurse by training, she initially built her career managing complex clinical operations and coordinating injury care within high-hazard industries.

In 2018, Sarah was recognized as one of Baton Rouge’s “Influential Women in Business,” a testament to her leadership, community engagement, and clinical expertise. Known for her exceptional ability to thrive amidst the unpredictable pace of healthcare, she excels at navigating chaos with calm and clarity.

Today, Sarah leads Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine as a cornerstone of the NuREADY Health Network. She oversees everything from strategic growth and client partnerships to day-to-day clinic operations. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded mobile and on-site services along the Gulf Coast—ensuring seamless access to health solutions tailored for industrial worksites.

Sarah balances her demanding professional role with a strong family life and active community involvement. Her mission is to merge compassionate care with operational excellence, continuing Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine’s legacy of workplace safety and employee wellness.

Patrick "Bub" Beach

Patrick “Bub” Beach co-founded Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine alongside his daughter, Sarah Taylor, laying the foundation for what has become a trusted provider of industrial and occupational healthcare in the Gulf Coast region. Drawing on years of experience and a passion for helping ensure workforce safety, Bub’s commitment to compassionate care and community wellbeing helped shape the company’s core values and service ethos.

Rooted in family and faith—values that guided him throughout his life—Bub guided the growth of Gulf Coast Occupational Medicine from the ground up, fostering a tight-knit culture centered on operational excellence and reliability. His leadership was instrumental in establishing mobile clinic services and onsite occupational health practices that remain essential to the company’s mission.

His spirit continues to guide the team and his memory stands as a lasting testament to his legacy—one of integrity, service, and a sincere commitment to ensuring that industrial workforces remain healthy and ready.