Mail_Order_RFP_QA_Round_2.pdf

Number Question Response 1 Please provide the CDC 4 - 6 questions or the "screening algorithm" in the RFP to assess which antibiotic is appropriate to dispense. We need to assess if this process is different than our current DUR process. If so, costs need to be estimated and estimated time to make determinations.

We are unable to provide details beyond what was described in the RFP. We encourage the offeror to propose cost estimates that reflect some modification/adaptation of their current DUR process. We will work with awardees on further refinement post-award.

2 If we ran DUR to determine which antibiotic would be best across our population, it would inform the level of inventory we would need to have on-hand at each location. Does the government prefer we run

DUR during the trial period and periodically thereafter to keep our required inventory levels accurate?

This could be a feasible plan if included in the proposal. The

Government requests DUR be addressed and a recommendation of how often provided. The Government does not have a set time in which DUR must be performed however we intend for this information to be updated periodically to determine required inventory ratios.

3 1. Is a signature required to prove delivery?

2. Should couriers leave the drugs on the doorstep if no one is home?

3. Do we need a delivery confirmation?

1. No signature required.

2. Delivery must be at a homeowners location such as mailbox, mailslot, doorstep, etc.

3. Delivery confirmation may vary dependent upon city location.

The Government is currently working with State and Local

Governments within these locations to determine these requirements. As they are likely to vary from location to location, the Government requests offerors propose costs for both delivery with and without confirmation.

4 Since it appears multiple awards are contemplated, does the

Government intend to make awards by city or multiple awards of all cities? We are assuming if an anthrax emergency occurs in a city, the government intends to direct all awardees to dispense to their members in that geographic area. Is this the planned approach?

Please see C.4; the Government will "only issue one award per city." Only one vendor per city should eliminate any competition for resources and duplication of individuals for a specific geographic location.

5 In a past response, the Government stated "100% of your members including other household residents." We do not have a way to determine how many uninsured residents are at our insured addresses.

Will the government consider it acceptable to direct us to ship one of two extra bottles in each shipment to assist those at their address, other family, or neighbors?

It will not be acceptable to ship an extra bottle for unidentified individuals. We are interested in means to obtain information on other residents within that household through a vendor questionairre or some other type of solution in advance.

Requesting offeror's include in their proposal a solution or information as to what can and cannot be done.

6 It takes our mail order facilities basically the same time to dispense one

20 count bottle as it does for us to dispense a 20 count and 100 count at the same time. Does the Government consider it acceptable to ship both bottles in the first 24 hours?

No. Only the 20ct bottles will need to be shipped in the first 24 hours (Phase 1) under the current medical response strategy for administration. There will be a determination made later as to which residents will require the 100ct dosage for (Phase 2). For this timeline, please see response to # 7.

7 If we do not ship 100 count bottles within the first 24 hours, does the government consider it acceptable to start shipping the 100 count bottles spaced out over the next 4 - 5 days as long as they are all delivered within 144 hours of first receiving inventory?

Yes. The offeror has 144 hours from initial receipt of product. We intend to deliver all 100 count bottles beginning on Day 2. If an innovative approach is proposed, the USG will dictate when to begin issuing 100ct bottles beginning by Day 2 and offeror's will have 144 hours from this time to complete delivery.

8 In the prior bidders' responses, the government stated that they have not had any discussions with overnight delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and other common carriers. As a potential contractor to this solicitation with multiple awardees to address a national disaster, we view this a collaborative solution development opportunity for PBMs and overnight carriers rather than competitive situation. All of the major mail order PBMs largely use the same overnight and common carriers to delivery our prescriptions.

Rather than each contractor attempting to quickly cobble together a last mile delivery plan that places delivery drivers in harm’s way with

Anthrax exposure, we would like to suggest ASPR hosting one or more collaborative planning sessions with PBMs and our overnight carriers in

Washington, DC to collaboratively develop a holistic solution. We need a win-win solution since our solution is intended to save lives. It will be up to the PBMs and overnight carriers to develop the most optimal solution possible but the government should be at the table also to ensure the solution meets your program objectives. Please respond with your receptivity to this approach. It would likely require putting the procurement on hold until a universal delivery solution is defined.

The government requests the offeror's demonstrate a valid effort to address this with transportation carriers. While we agree that this could be a potential limiting factor, this would be a limiting factor for all offerors and thus, we request a thorough and detailed plan on how this is currently and will be addressed. We cannot partake in discussions with potential subcontractors during solicitation, however, we plan to engage alongside the awardee in these discussions once award has been made. Please take these discussions and related time requiremenst for such into consideration when developing the time need to implement the Pilot Phase.

9 Can we have 45 days after these responses are posted to provide our

RFP responses? Also, it appears a revised RFP will be posted with more detail. This RFP is a unique use of our mail order systems and requires time to plan the solution and estimate costs.

45 Days will be granted. No revised RFP will be posted. Please consider the Q&A documents as further clarification to the solicitation.