Benefits Data Trust (BDT) Staff-Sourced Criteria for Acquisition

September 6, 2024

For the sake of transparency, these are the staff-sourced criteria, solicited by BDT’s Executive Team, approved by staff via a vote, and then seemingly ignored by the Executive Team and Board.

BDT acquisition Imperatives

• The selected partner should retain as many staff as possible to preserve BDT's deep benefits expertise (33 mentions).

• Staff retention should be prioritized, with improved pay and benefits for workers, particularly in the contact center, to reflect their value and reduce pay disparities (24 mentions).

Critical acquisition priorities

• The partner should be a non-profit entity that places mission first (13 mentions) and operates with transparency (11 mentions).

• The transition plan should ensure uninterrupted services to BDT’s clients (10 mentions).

• BDT’s culture of diversity and empathy should be preserved (9 mentions).

• BDT’s work should continue to prioritize direct service to clients enrolling in benefits (9 mentions) while aiming to close participation gaps (8 mentions).

Key criteria for BDT acquisition

• The partner should have mission-driven leadership with a demonstrated commitment to public service (8 mentions).

• The mission should continue under new leadership, without the involvement of current executives and board members (7 mentions).

• The partner should be financially stable (5 mentions) with long-term viability (5 mentions).

• The partner should operate with transparency, value staff input, and practice inclusive decision-making (5 mentions).

Important considerations

• Emphasize people over technology in the mission (3 mentions).

• Recognize the productivity benefits of remote work (3 mentions).

• Prioritize professional development and varied career paths for specialists (2 mentions).

• Ensure authentic community engagement is central to BDT’s mission (1 mention).