Actuarial_IDIQ_and_TO_1_Solicitation_May16.pdf

Solicitation Number

140D0419R0011 Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

Page

SECTION A – INTRODUCTION

This is combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being required and a written solicitation will not be issued. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6 is being utilized in conjunction with FAR 12 and 13.5. FAR Subpart 13.5 provides special authority for acquisitions of commercial items exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding

$7 million

This Solicitation is being issued as a Request For Quote (RFQ). The Government intends to award a single indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) type contract entitled “Actuarial

Review” and Task Order 1 entitled “Review of the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index

Crop Insurance Program Indexing and Rating Methodology” as a result of this solicitation. The

Government will not be awarding IDIQ contracts to multiple offerors; resultant IDIQ award will be a single-award IDIQ.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular 62. All clauses within the IDIQ contract apply to any resulting task orders issued during the period of performance of the IDIQ.

This acquisition is a small business set-aside. The relevant NAICS code is Number 524298 entitled “All Other Insurance Related Activities” with a size standard of $7.0 million; The

Product Service Code is R410 “Support-Professional: Program

Evaluation/Review/Development.”

Deliverables are noted at a high level within the IDIQ solicitation and will be noted in detail in each of the individual task orders.

The IDIQ will be a multiyear contract with a performance period of five (5) years. The periods of performance for each individual task order will be identified in the task order.

All orders must be placed before the IDIQ expires and orders must be completed no later than 12 months past the expiration date of the IDIQ.

The objective of the IDIQ contract overall is to conduct actuarial and/or econometric reviews regarding new methodologies or revisions to existing methodologies being contemplated by

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Risk Management Agency (RMA) in regards to crop insurance.

Specific deliverable schedules will be outlined in each order issued under the IDIQ.

The provision at 52.212-1, “Instruction to Offerors- Commercial Items (Oct 2018),” and an addendum, apply to this acquisition.

The provision at 52.212-2 “Evaluation-Commercial Items (Oct 2014)” applies to this acquisition.

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

The evaluation factors for the solicitation are as follows:

IDIQ

Technical-Demonstrated Knowledge about Actuarial Reviews

Past Performance

Price

Task Order 1

Technical Approach/Key Personnel

Project Management Plan (WBS & Deliverable Schedule)

Price

The Government considers evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, significantly more important than cost or price.

Offerors shall include a completed copy of 52.212-3 “Offeror Representations and Certifications

– Commercial Items (Oct 2018)” with their offer.

Clause 52.212-4 “Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (Oct 2018)” and 52.212-4

“Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (Alterate 1) (Jan 2017)” applies to this acquisition.

Clause 52.212-5 “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders – Commercial Items (Nov 2012)” applies to this acquisition. See Section I – Contract

Clauses for applicable clauses.

The due date for response to this RFQ at the addresses specified below shall be on June 18, 2019 no later than (NLT) 2:00 PM ET. Each volume shall be clearly marked by Volume

Number and Title. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to get their submission in on time and ensure successful delivery to the Government. Submission shall be via e-mail to the Contracting

Officer at David_boyd@ibc.doi.gov and the Contract Specialist at

Heather_Armstrong@ibc.doi.gov.

RFQ QUESTIONS:

Offerors must submit all technical questions concerning this solicitation in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, David Boyd at David_boyd@ibc.doi.gov and the contract specialist

Heather Armstrong at Heather_Armstrong@ibc.doi.gov. All questions must be submitted via e-mail, and received NLT 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on May 29, 2019. Acquisition

Services Directorate will answer questions, which may affect offers, in an amendment to the solicitation. Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit those questions mailto:David_boyd@ibc.doi.gov mailto:Heather_Armstrong@ibc.doi.gov mailto:David_boyd@ibc.doi.gov mailto:Heather_Armstrong@ibc.doi.gov

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 and answers of a common interest to all prospective Offerors. The Offeror or source of the question will not be referenced when issuing an amendment to the solicitation.

SECTION B – SUPPLIES/SERVICES AND PRICES

IDIQ

The objective of the IDIQ contract overall is to conduct actuarial and/or econometric reviews regarding new methodologies or revisions to existing methodologies being contemplated by RMA in regards to crop insurance.

THE SCHEDULE

LABOR CATEGORIES AND RATES

LABOR CATEGORY FULLY BURDENED HOURLY RATE

Indirect Rates/Multipliers applicable to direct costs (other than labor):

The labor and indirect rates for each IDIQ period of performance will be included in this section upon award of the IDIQ.

This is an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) type contract with firm-fixed-price (FFP) type task orders with possible time and materials CLINS. The contractor will provide quotes in response to

Statements of Work during the effective period of the IDIQ contract. Only the Contracting Officer has the authority to issue task orders against the IDIQ. Orders will be either faxed or e-mailed to the contractor.

The guaranteed minimum amount under the IDIQ is $10,000.00 which will be obligated under Task Order

1 issued at the time of award. The total amount of all orders under this IDIQ will not exceed

$5,000,000.00

After award of the IDIQ and Task Order 1: In order to obtain services under this IDIQ the Contracting

Officer will send a Statement of Work with a request for both a technical and price response. The

Contractor will send the documentation directly to the Contracting Officer, who will forward the information to the program office for evaluation. The Contractor shall use the rates quoted for the IDIQ and inserted above at the time of IDIQ award to prepare their pricing. The preparation instructions for the non-price portion of the RFQ may require the Contractor to address one or all of the following items: 1)

Key Personnel being used for the task order (including any resumes or biological information required for

Key Personnel not already accepted in the IDIQ), 2) Project Management Plan. The technical evaluation criteria within a RFQ may not be limited to these two criteria. These non-price evaluation factors will be evaluated as either “acceptable” or “unacceptable.” The price will be evaluated to determine if the price for the task order is fair and reasonable.

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Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

SECTION C – IDIQ STATEMENT OF WORK

Actuarial Review

Section 1.0 General Information

1.1 Requiring Agency: USDA, RMA, Office of Product Management

1.2 Organizational Contact: The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be named at the time of the award.

1.3 Acronyms:

ADM – Actuarial Data Master

ARPA – Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000

CBOT – Chicago Board of Trade

CME – Chicago Mercantile Exchange

FAO – Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations

FCIC – Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

FSA – Farm Service Agency

MPCI – Multiple Peril Crop Insurance

NASS - National Agricultural Statistics Service

NIFA - National Institute for Food and Agriculture

PM - Product Management

RMA - Risk Management Agency

RO - Regional Office of RMA

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture

1.4 Definitions

Acceptable data source - Publications and data of the RMA, FSA, NIFA, NASS and other agencies of the USDA; marketing and promotion organizations, supported by public funds or a check-off system; State Departments of Agriculture; any grower organization or association, whose membership represents 15 percent of growers in the area the organization or association serves; any generally recognized authoritative or professional journal or magazine; any other source approved by RMA, such as schools of higher education, international agencies, (FAO or the World Bank; growers’ organizations or associations whose membership is representative of growers in one or more areas); and farm level data subject to review by qualified crop insurance experts.

Act - The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501) amended.

Actual Production History (APH) – The insurance program administered by RMA that provides growers yield insurance by paying for losses below the guarantee

Actuarial documents - The material for the crop year that is posted on RMA’s website at the URL http://www.rma.usda.gov. These documents show the amounts of insurance or production

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Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 guarantees, coverage levels, premium rates, insurable crop production practices, insurable acreage, and other related information regarding crop insurance for a crop in a county.

Actuarially Sound – For the purpose of the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a classification and premium rate determination system, where risk premium collected is sufficient to cover expected future losses and to build a reasonable amount of reserve.

Appendix III (Data Acceptance System Handbook) – An appendix of the 2005 Standard

Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) that provides instructions and information for reporting reinsured company data to the Risk Management Agency/Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. Also known as the M-13 Handbook.

Board - The Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

Catastrophic Risk Protection Coverage (CAT) - The minimum level of coverage offered by FCIC for the program that is required before the insured may qualify for certain other USDA program benefits, unless the insured executes a waiver of any eligibility for emergency crop loss assistance in connection with the crop.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - Proposed and final regulations published in the Federal

Register also are considered to be part of the CFR.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) - An employee of RMA, who assists the Contracting

Officer with technical administration of the contract.

Cost-benefit analysis - A process whereby the expected monetary and non-monetary public and private outlays of a proposed action are compared to the expected monetary and non-monetary returns to beneficiaries. This is accomplished by an examination of available raw data and data assumptions, by developing model premises and description, and by estimating the model’s results and projecting those results to actual circumstances. A cost-benefit analysis recognizes the principles set forth in the document “Economic Analysis of Federal Regulations under Executive

Order 12866” as set forth at the URL https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/inforeg/riaguide.html.

Crop - An agricultural commodity insured under the authority of the Act.

Crop Insurance Handbook (CIH) - A document denoted by RMA as the Crop Insurance

Handbook in effect at the time the contracted work is performed. See the URL http://www.rma.usda.gov

Crop insurance procedures - Methods approved by RMA, to administer approved crop programs.

The term includes the Underwriting Guides, the CIH, the LASH, Manager’s, PM Bulletins, or other documents that may be issued by RMA, that are applicable to a specific crop. See the URL http://www.rma.usda.gov

Crop policy - The legal documents, which establish a contract between the insured person and the insurance provider, including, but not limited to, the Common Crop Insurance Policy, the Basic https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/inforeg/riaguide.html https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/inforeg/riaguide.html http://www.rma.usda.gov/

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Provisions, and the Crop Provisions, as published in the CFR or by RMA on its website; and the

Special Provisions, as applicable, and the actuarial documents.

Crop program - The insurance plan or plans whereby the insurable interests of a producer of a crop are protected.

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) - A corporation chartered by the U.S. Government and administered by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA).

Farm Service Agency (FSA) - An agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, or a successor agency.

Generally Recognized Farming Practices- When agricultural experts or the organic agricultural industry, as applicable, are aware of the production method or practice and there is no genuine dispute regarding whether the production method or practice allows the crop to make normal progress toward maturity and produce at least the yield used to determine the production guarantee or amount of insurance.

Government - The Contracting Officer or his duly authorized representative (COR).

Impact Analysis – A numerical analysis showing what the results would be if the recommended procedure or methodology is followed. The analysis may be conducted using experience data or simulations, whichever is most appropriate. Care will be taken if experience data are used to properly handle differences in the number of years of data or data anomalies.

Indemnity - The amount of money that the approved insurance provider owes the insured, based on the determination of loss.

Independent Actuary and Independent Researcher - Party (ies) not affiliated with or not having any interest in the day-to-day business operations of the contractor.

Insurance Experience - Policy level data including the number of policies earning premium, policies indemnified, units earning premium, units indemnified, net insured acres, liability, total premium, producer premium, subsidy, indemnity, loss ratio, earned premium rate, and loss cost ratio.

Insurance Providers - Private insurance companies reinsured by FCIC.

Liability - The total amount that the approved insurance provider would pay to the insured, if there was a total loss.

Limited Resource Farmer - A producer or operator of a farm with: (a) direct or indirect gross farm sales of not more than $100,000 in each of the previous two years (beginning fiscal year

2004, this is adjusted for inflation using Prices Paid by Farmer Index as compiled by NASS); and

(b) a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less

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Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 than 50 percent of county median household income in each of the previous two years (to be determined annually using Commerce Department data) .

Loss Cost Ratio (LCR) - The ratio of indemnity divided by liability.

Loss Ratio (LR) - The ratio of indemnity divided by premium.

Manager’s Bulletin - A document issued by RMA’s Administrator, to convey information that supplements the crop insurance procedures. See the URL http://www.rma.usda.gov

Plan of Insurance - A general structure of insurance that may be extended to one or more crops

(e.g., actual production history and revenue coverage).

Policy - An insurance policy or plan of insurance (including endorsements or options), including those approved under sections 508, 522, or 523 of the Act, and that is reinsured by FCIC. Also see Crop Policy and Endorsement.

Policy review procedure - An in-depth, detailed process to identify any problem areas or issues;

to make recommendations to limit waste, fraud, and abuse; to assure actuarial soundness; and to determine acceptability of the crop programs to producers, insurance providers, the Government, and other interested parties.

Procedure - A set of established forms or methods for carrying out the lamb livestock insurance program including, but not limited, to the applicable handbooks.

Producer premium - The amount of premium paid by the insured.

Product Management Bulletin - A document issued by DAPM, to convey information that supplements the crop insurance procedures. See the URL http://www.rma.usda.gov

Program – Plans of insurance.

Program materials - Basic Provisions, Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, Crop

Provisions, Special Provisions of Insurance, loss adjustment handbook, loss adjustment manual, all applicable actuarial documents, Appendix III, Crop Insurance Handbook, underwriting requirements, and other forms necessary to deliver the program.

Risk Management Agency (RMA) - An agency within USDA that is responsible for administering the Federal Crop Insurance Program.

Risk Premium - The total amount of premium for an insured’s coverage, determined by multiplying liability times the unsubsidized premium rate.

Quantify - Assigning measurable impacts to an action. In the context of an evaluation, the term means that a recommendation or determination shall be accompanied by a cost-benefit analysis.

Quantified recommendations or determinations shall be complete with all raw input data and models, and shall show a bottom line with the overall projected cost of the recommendation or

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Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 determination and the accompanying benefits with respect to affected growers, RMA, the insurance providers, other USDA agencies, taxpayers, and other interested parties where appropriate. The overall cost and benefit must be placed in the context of overall contract requirements.

Special Provisions of Insurance – The part of the policy (contained in the county actuarial documents) that contains specific provisions of insurance for LRP Lamb (e.g., rotational requirement, exclusions to the policy, etc.)

Subsidy - The amount of total premium paid by the FCIC, on behalf of the insured.

Supportability - Recommendations that are logical, consistent with data collected and assumptions made, sufficiently detailed to justify conclusions, and based upon relevant and complete database(s). Data, data sources, data assumptions, methodologies, findings, determinations, and recommendations are properly cited.

Systemic - With respect to deficiencies, weaknesses, or problems means a condition which is basic to the crop program and is experienced by the whole of it and not just particular areas of the country or other localized situations.

Total premium - The total amount of premium for an insured’s coverage that is determined by multiplying liability by the unsubsidized premium rate.

Transitional revenue (T-revenue) – A value determined by RMA, published in the actuarial documents, to be used when you have certified fewer than four consecutive crop years of annual revenue amounts.

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Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

Section 2 - W ork Statement

2.1 Background

Section 508(i)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act requires FCIC to periodically review the methodologies employed for rating plans of insurance. Periodically RMA needs to update existing crop insurance program features and allow for the potential for new crop insurance programs. This requires additional expertise to research and review program concepts and methodologies.

2.2 Contract Objectives

The objective of this contract is to conduct actuarial and/or econometric research and reviews of new and/or proposed methodologies, existing methodologies, or revisions to existing methodologies being contemplated by RMA.

This SOW provides the framework for these efforts, including the development of all materials necessary for RMA to administer any changes or modifications to the existing crop insurance program.

2.3 Contract Tasks & Work Requirements

In general, for all applicable tasks, the contractor shall conduct research, analysis, evaluate, and deliver reports as specified in the following sections. The contractor shall identify and provide within any reports all data, data sources, statistical assumptions, mathematical formulae, methodologies, findings, determinations, and recommendations. Any recommendations must adhere to sound statistical procedures and standard actuarial principles and clearly state the benefits to the insureds and to the Government. The contractor shall clearly state and support all assumptions, findings, and determinations in sufficient detail to enable independent researchers or RMA personnel to reproduce the analysis for validation.

All recommendations shall be made under the assumption that government administered insurance is similar to private industry insurance in that it must remain solvent and actuarially sound. (For deliverable formats see section F of the contract "Deliverables.")

Listed below are specific issues for which future orders may be issued. However, the

Government may modify, delete, enhance, or re-determine the priority of these tasks within the general scope of the IDIQ contract. Other actuarial related issues may be identified by RMA during the period of performance of this contract. The Government will provide more enhanced direction in the specific task orders to the contractor on its requirements related to timing and priority, as well as information necessary for the contractor to complete tasks.

Each task description below is an estimate of actual needs only.

2.3.1 Comprehensive review of APH-based crop insurance program rating methodology.

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The contractor may be required to conduct a comprehensive review of the methodology and calculations used in the determination of premium rates for APH-based crop insurance programs.

The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated

FFP)

2.3.2 Comprehensive review of methodology execution.

The contractor may be required to conduct a comprehensive review of the programming/computer code used to execute actuarial methodologies. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). Multiple tasks may be issued by code set, actuarial method, and/or program. (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.3 Review of Risk Classification

The contractor may be required to conduct a review of existing risk classifications and/or to research and analyze additional or alternative risk classifications. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). Multiple tasks may be issued. (Anticipated

2.3.4 Actuarial Review of Optional Coverages and Endorsements

The contractor may be required to conduct research and analysis related to optional coverages and endorsements. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). Multiple tasks may be issued. (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.5 Review of Actuarial Components

The contractor may be required to conduct a review of actuarial components and related methodologies, including modifications being considered. Actuarial components are those components used implicitly or explicitly in the calculation of premium and/or liability and include, but are not limited to: reference rates, fixed rates, catastrophic loads, prevented planting loads, replant loads, optional unit loads, disaster reserve factor, reference yields, exponents, unit discounts, coverage level relativities, endogenous risk loads, map areas, price-yield correlation, transitional yields/revenues, and expected yields. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). Multiple tasks may be issued for each component or group of components. (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.6 Comprehensive review of area-based crop insurance program rating methodology.

calculations used in the determination of premium rates for area-based crop insurance programs.

The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and

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Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). Separate tasks may be issued by type of area-based coverage. (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.7 Comprehensive review of ARH / Revenue coverage crop insurance program rating methodology.

calculations used in the determination of premium rates for crop insurance programs that provide revenue coverage. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.8 Comprehensive review of Dollar-based crop insurance program rating methodology.

calculations used in the determination of premium rates for Dollar-based crop insurance programs. Multiple tasks may be issued by type of dollar-based coverage. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.9 Review of actual yield determination in the presence of insufficient data.

The contractor may be required to analyze the use of other information (such as neighboring counties data or model driven approach) to establish a procedure for determining actual yields when data is unavailable or lacks sufficient coverage for a given crop, county, type, and practice.

The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated

2.3.10 Review use of other data in analyzing yields and risk.

The contractor may be required to analyze the use of weather data, remotely sensed data, NRCS soils data and/or other data sources in modeling yields and risk. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.11 Review of index-based weather insurance concepts.

The contractor may be required to review and analyze index-based weather concepts. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.12 Research for alternative approaches to updating premium rates.

The contractor may be required to review and analyze actuarial theory regarding premium rate adequacy, with consideration given to, but not limited to, the use of off-balance rate adjustments and loss ratio based premium rate adjustments. The contractor shall provide a technical report

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Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.13 Weighting of Historical Experience

This contractor may be required to perform a detailed review of the performance of the methodology for weighting historical experience. The contractor shall provide a technical report

2.3.14 Review of yield and loss distributions.

The contractor may be required to analyze yield and loss distributions underlying crop insurance experience. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and

2.3.15 Review Actual Production History determinations.

The contractor may be required to analyze the methodology for determining Actual Production

History. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and

2.3.16 Review of modifications to actuarial methodologies.

The contractor may be required to analyze modifications to actuarial methodologies or alternative actuarial methodologies being contemplated by RMA. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.17 Review of crop insurance availability and associated risks.

The contractor may be required to analyze crop insurance availability and the risks associated with insuring various crop/type/practices by location. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.18 Review of contract priced addendum (CPA) or review of other contractor priced solutions to enhance crop insurance coverage.

The contractor may be required to review the contract priced addendum or conduct research and analysis for contract priced solutions. The contract shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.19 Organic Review

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The contractor may be required to review organic practice methodologies for rates, yields, and/or prices. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.20 Irrigated Grain Sorghum Review

The contractor may be required to analyze the proposed grain sorghum improvements from

Section 11122(14) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.21 Subsurface Irrigation Practice Review

The contractor may be required to analyze the creation of a separate practice for subsurface irrigation from Section 11122 (13) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The contractor shall provide a technical report outlining their findings and recommendations and this task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task order(s). (Anticipated FFP)

2.3.22 Hurricane Insurance Review

The contractor may be required to analyze the actuarial theory regarding premium rate adequacy for a hurricane coverage plan of insurance. The contractor shall provide a technical report

2.3.23 External/Public Comments - Expert Review

The contractor may be required to address comments from external or expert reviews based on the analysis they have conducted. (Anticipated T&M)

2.3.24 Resource Support

The contractor may be required to serve as a resource to RMA for support with regards to the recommendations submitted if this is required to go the FCIC board or if expert reviews are required. RMA may also require additional actuarial review work on specific rating and pricing for other crop insurance programs or for other actuarial review work that might be necessary. This support will be identified in the specific task orders as necessary. This task may require travel, which will be outlined in the specific task orders. (Anticipated FFP)

SECTION 3 – PACKAGING AND MARKING

3.1. Deliverables

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All deliverables submitted under the contract shall be prepared and packaged in a cost-effective manner equivalent to standard commercial quality. Elaborate artw o r k , expensive paper and bindings are neither necessary nor desired.

SECTION 4 – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection of Deliverables by the Government:

The Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will inspect each deliverable within 30 calendar days of receipt by the Government. At the Government’s discretion, comments specifying improvements needed or minor deficiencies noted may be provided to the contractor, along with an acceptance of the deliverable, in which case the contractor may be required to document the corrections or improvements that were taken in the subsequent deliverable. However, major deficiencies in a deliverable may result in its rejection, to include the failure of a resubmission to address the improvements or deficiencies submitted by the COR regarding the prior version of the deliverable. In the case of a rejection, specifics will be provided to the contractor as to the reasons for the rejection, as well as a deadline for re-performance (correcting deficiencies and resubmitting the deliverable). There shall be no constructive or inferred acceptance of any deliverable if the Government fails to meet the review deadline; however, in such cases an equitable adjustment to the delivery schedule may be granted.

A deliverable that does not fully satisfy a requirement could also be subject to acceptance with a penalty, e.g., an equitable price reduction for the deliverable or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer.

The Government also reserves the right to monitor the contractor’s performance in accordance with its proper authority and contractual rights. Authorized Government personnel may visit the appropriate work area of the contractor and may either observe the contractor performing the tasks or review documentation, as appropriate. Monitoring may also include analysis of the key personnel hours expended as reported in the monthly reports submitted. If key personnel hours show significant deviation below projected hours as detailed in the Offeror’s quote, it could trigger an on-site inspection or other compliance actions.

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SECTION 5 – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Other Contract Requirements

Places of Performance:

The Contractor shall perform work primarily in its own offices or in the field. Performance may occasionally occur in Washington, D.C. or Kansas City, MO.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this contract is 5 years. Each individual task order shall have its own period of performance that needs to allow for at least a minimum of 30 calendar days review for the Government for each deliverable specified in the order.

All orders must be placed before the IDIQ expires and orders must be completed no later than 12 months past the expiration date of the IDIQ.

Delivery Schedule:

The delivery schedule will be outlined in each task order. Any deliverable schedule needs to take into consideration the 30 calendar days Government review period so that the schedule accommodates the review period while minimizing disruption to the remaining delivery due dates.

Report Style:

Reports submitted as deliverables under this contract shall be written and composed in a style suitable for publishing by the Government (i.e., conforms to U.S. Government Printing Office

Style Manual standards--see http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/browse.html).

Format for Submittal of Deliverables:

The format for submitting deliverables will be detailed in each Task Order.

Monthly Progress Reporting:

The Contractor shall provide a single monthly progress report by the 15th of each month. The information needs to be segregated so that each task order has its own section, combining all activities covered under this contract. These sections shall address progress on the contract work requirements, as they occur. The reports shall also include trip descriptions and significant meetings held or attended in performance of this contract. These items shall be sufficiently detailed to allow the COR to determine that the work efforts and level of progress are satisfactory. The report must also contain whether or not there was any event or occurrence which will give rise to a request for equitable adjustment. For example, the report shall display hours expended by key personnel by phase and task. This is for quality assurance purposes, not necessarily for invoice payment or cost tracking purposes. Payment of the monthly invoices for http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/browse.html

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Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 the current task orders is contingent upon delivery of the monthly progress reports to the COR and CO.

SECTION 6 – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Points of Contact:

Contracting Officer:

David Boyd

381 Elden Street, Suite 4000

Herndon, VA 20170

Phone: 703-964-4853

Email: David_Boyd@ibc.doi.gov

Contract Specialist:

Heather Armstrong

381 Elden Street, Suite 4000

Herndon, VA 20170

Phone: 703-964-8416

Email: Heather_armstrong@ibc.doi.gov

Contracting Officer’s Representative:

To Be Determined at Time of Award

Invoices (applies at the task order level):

The Contractor shall bill upon acceptance of the deliverables indicated in the delivery table.

Invoices shall include, as a minimum, the following general information:

Contractor name

Contractor address

Contract No./Order No.

Purpose of the Invoice

Billing Period for the services performed

Description of deliverable

Travel Expenses (if applicable) to include a travel expense report containing the following information at a minimum: inclusive dates of travel, location, names of traveler(s), itemized list of expense

Receipts for single travel expenditure exceeding $75

For Firm-Fixed-Price orders include in addition to the general information above:

Price of Deliverable mailto:David_Boyd@ibc.doi.gov

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

For T&M/LH orders include in addition to the general information above:

Personnel Name

Labor Category Rate

Hourly Rate

Number of Hours Incurred for the billing period and cumulative to date for both prime and subcontractor employees

Payment of invoices is subject to receipt of each Monthly Report by the COR. Invoices will be paid upon approval and acceptance by the Government COR and CO.

The Contractor shall submit all invoices to www.ipp.gov in accordance with the instructions provided in the contract.

SECTION 7 – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Key Personnel:

The Contractor agrees to assign to the contract, those key persons whose resumes were submitted as required to fill the terms of the contract. No substitution or addition of personnel will be made except in accordance with this clause.

Should it become necessary for the contractor to substitute personnel for any reason, the

Contracting Officer and COR must be notified, in writing, with a proposed plan of action. The

Contracting Officer and COR will review the request and promptly notify the contractor of approval or disapproval.

News Releases:

The Contractor shall not make any news release pertaining to this procurement without prior

Government approval and then only in coordination with the Contracting Officer or COR.

Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality:

Section 502(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. § 1502(c)) states that no person may disclose to the public, information provided by a producer under the Act, unless the information has been transformed into a statistical or aggregate form, in which the individual submitter is unidentifiable or the producer consents to such disclosure. Unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer, the following restrictions shall also apply:

The Contractor shall maintain the confidentiality of all data provided by RMA, all analyses and the results of such analyses conducted under this contract, all programs, models, formulas, graphs, charts, and any other document or information used (excluding Contractor’s or Subcontractor’s pre-existing programs, models, formulas, techniques, information, etc.), created or generated through the performance of any task under the contract. The Contractor shall keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence. The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge the RMA data and any http://www.ipp.gov/

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 analysis results derived from this contract in whole or in part in any manner or form, or to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor's possession, to those employees or

Subcontractors needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a "need to know" basis. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement. The

Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder. At the completion of this contract, the Contractor shall be required to destroy or return all data or information made available by the Government that are not intended for public disclosure.

Paperwork Reduction Act:

For any information collection activities subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that may be performed under this contract, the Contractor shall comply with the PRA.

Section 508 Compliance Requirements:

To ensure that everyone with disabilities has access to and use of information and data, comparable to that of the employees and members of the public without disabilities, all deliverables must meet the standards regulated by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, available at: http://www.section508.gov.

All electronic and information technology (EIT) procured through this effort must meet the applicable accessibility standards of 36 CFR 1194. 36 CFR 1194 implements Section 508 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Furthermore, all deliverables:

1. Shall be submitted in Portable Document Format (PDF)

2. Shall be error-free when checked on these accessibility factors:

a. Alternative descriptions provided

b. Text language is specified

c. Reliable character encoding is provided

d. All content is contained in the document structure

e. All form fields have descriptions

f. Tab order is consistent with structure order

g. List and table structure is correct

Additional 508 Compliance Requirements Assistance

The following information contains a few salient excerpts from the RMA Web Content Team’s

Section 508 Training Manual. This information is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Images

All images must be “tagged” with “alternative text” – also known as an “alt tag” so screen readers can describe the image to someone who cannot physically see the image.

A section 508 compliant alt tag should contain a description of the image as opposed to simply the name of the image.

Maps, Charts, and Graphs http://www.section508.gov/

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

Maps, charts, and graphs communicate complex visual information usually generated from spreadsheets or database tables. All maps, charts, and graphs must be accompanied with the original text-based tables(s) from which they were generated.

The tables must be text-based (also called OCR or Optical Character Recognition) and not images (scanned as graphics or image files). Columns and headers in the tables must be clearly labeled.

Alt tags are not acceptable to describe the contents of maps, charts, graphs, or tables.

Creating 508 Compliant PDF Documents

The steps taken to create a 508 compliant PDF begin in the software program used to create the document. Documents that are 508 compliant can be successfully achieved.

Using Microsoft Office and/or Adobe Acrobat Professional. There are subtle differences between MS-Word 2007 format (.docx) and MS-Word 2007 with 97-2003 compatibility format (.doc).

Government Furnished Information/Resources

The Contractor may access RMA's public website at www.rma.usda.gov for information pertaining to existing crop policies, underwriting and loss adjustment procedures, data reporting requirements, and other publicly accessible information. Any information not available through the website but is considered necessary may be requested through the COR. Following is a list of website addresses that the Contractor may use for this contract. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.

a. RMA’s Public Website: http://www.rma.usda.gov/

b. Basic Provisions and Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement:

http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies

c. The Federal Crop Insurance Act: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/

d. Risk Management Agencies Regional Office State Directory:

http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/

e. Risk Management Agencies, Agent Locator/Insurance Providers Listing:

https://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html

f. Summary of Business: http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/

g. Data Acceptance System Appendix III: http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/m13

h. The Actuarial Document Browser: http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools

i. Bulletins and Handbooks: http://www.rma.usda.gov/handbooks/

Government Furnished Data:

The contractor shall provide RMA detailed requests of RMA datasets and RMA will furnish them within 30 business days after contract award. If the requested data sets require contractor revision, RMA will cooperate with the contractor to avoid excessive or unnecessary delays of any contract deliverable.

Government Furnished Resource:

RMA personnel knowledgeable about specific subjects or topics will be made available for consultation by telephone or electronic mail. The contractor shall submit all resource requests to the COR.

http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/ http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/ http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/ http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/m13 http://www.rma.usda.gov/handbooks/

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1

Government Furnished Facilities:

RMA will furnish appropriate facilities if the Contractor provides oral presentations to RMA personnel.

Contractor Furnished Resources

The contractor shall provide all materials required to perform the contract, beyond Government furnished information or resources described above.

Data Rights:

In accordance with FAR Clause 52.227.14 the government has unlimited rights regarding the work effort produced by the contractor for reports, rating and pricing methodologies, computer code and spread sheets that are developed under the work product to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and have the rights to grant others permission to utilize the work produced.

OTHER DIRECT COSTS/TRAVEL

Each task order will have its own Not-to-Exceed (NTE) ceiling for ODCs and travel, as applicable.

Other Direct Costs (ODCs) may be required for this task. The Contractor is limited to purchasing only those items that were submitted in their proposal/task order quote and indicated as ODCs.

Any request for ODCs that were not originally proposed must be submitted in writing to both the

COR and the Contracting Officer CO well in advance of the date that the ODC is required. The request must include the proposed price, all supporting documentation necessary to support a determination that the price is “fair and reasonable,” and an explanation regarding the need for the

ODC. The price of the item shall not exceed both the Contractor’s sale price to its most-favored customer. This does not apply to travel costs.

Contractor personnel shall perform task travel, in accordance with the needs of the task schedule and as described in the Task Order. The Contractor will be reimbursed for travel to provide support at a Government site or other site as may be specified and approved by the COR under this effort. All travel shall be approved and documented, by the COR, prior to commencement of travel arrangements. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for actual allowable, allocable, and reasonable travel costs incurred during performance of this effort in accordance with the Federal

Acquisition Regulation 31.205-46. Contractor shall utilize economy class for airfare and car rental. Travel originally not proposed must be approved by the CO since it normally results in an increase in the amount of incurred costs under the contract. Travel costs with proper documentation (e.g., receipts, copy of credit card statement, etc.) must be submitted with the invoice for contractor reimbursement.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

In order to avoid an organizational conflict of interest and attempt to ensure an objective and unbiased evaluation, any person or entity who at the time of the Contractor’s submission of an offer or any time thereafter is or was involved with the development of the rating or pricing for a specific Actual Revenue History crop insurance program under review shall not be eligible to

Document Title

Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) for

Actuarial Review and Task Order 1 participate as a prime Contractor or subcontractor in the performance of an order for the actual review for the rate and price making for the Actuarial Revenue History Crop Insurance program.